A search and rescue helicopter from the Maritime Coordinating Centre in Martinique discovered the body of a woman floating in the water. Photo:caribbean360

Police public relations officer, Inspector John Carbon, said the incident occurred at around midnight (local time) at sea and that the Haitian nationals had been rescued about five miles west of the Cabrits.

“They were found holding on to an open keel boat that had capsized,” he said, adding that the Haitians were brought ashore and admitted to the Portsmouth Hospital.

Carbon said that the Coast Guard later conducted a search of the area, where two Dominican nationals were rescued.

“These two men were handed over to the police and are assisting with the investigations,” he said, adding that a search and rescue helicopter from the Maritime Coordinating Centre in Martinique later joined the search and discovered the body of a woman floating in the water.

He said a post-mortem would be conducted later on Monday to determine the cause of death.