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DPNR Finds Boat that Capsized Sunday

April 28, 2009 — A search team from the Department of Planning and Natural Resources found the boat that capsized Sunday south of St. Croix, and the woman missing from the accident has been identified as 45-year-old Yolonda Ruiz of St. Croix.
The boat was owned by Floyd Thomas of St. Croix, according to Jamal Nielsen, media relations coordinator for DPNR. The boat was found Monday in about 20 feet of water near Ruth Island, Nielsen said.
At about 6 p.m. Sunday, DPNR's environmental enforcement officers were notified that a vessel with four passengers aboard had capsized off Ruth Island.
The boaters were reportedly traveling aboard a 26-foot Mariner when they experienced engine problems before their vessel capsized and sank approximately 800 yards from the St. Croix shore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Two of the passengers, Tomas Perez and Amos John, were able to swim to shore and seek assistance from a local fisherman, who was able to get underway and rescue the third man from the water. The third man was taken to the Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix to receive medical care.
Ruiz was last seen swimming toward shore.
Units from the Coast Guard, DPNR and the police searched more than 600 square miles using ships and helicopters before the Coast Guard suspended the search Monday, pending further information.
Coast Guard helicopters were reported flying over the area Tuesday, but those units were involved in helping another ship in distress, according to Public Information Officer Ricardo Castrodad.
The investigation is still pending, Nielsen said.
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