PRESS RELEASE: Around 1:00 a.m. Thursday, January 28th, 2021 information to the Police Control Room was that a cargo vessel named M/V Tropic Scout II, en route to Providenciales from the Dominican Republic carrying building materials had capsized near Swimmers Rock.

According to reports, four Dominican nationals were found in a life raft and rescued by a private citizen who transported them to the Blue Haven Dock around 5:00 a.m.

Additional support was later provided by Caicos Express Airways who located the capsized vessel 40 miles South East of Providenciales.

Marine Branch Officers on board M/V Sea Pursuit were dispatched and successfully rescued three Dominican nationals at 10:30 a.m.

One person is still unaccounted for and is believed to be trapped inside of the cargo vessel, however, the incident resulted in an oil spoil which made the search difficult and had to be called off but resumed Friday, January 29th, 2021.

The incident took place in international waters and additional arrangements to complete the search is being conducted the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Marine Branch with the assistance of the United States Coast Guard.

The search and rescue operation also includes the assistance of the Department and Coastal Resources Officials and a private vessel ‘Molasses’.

Both the Ministry of Immigration and The Ministry of Health were informed.