POLICE are searching for 52-year-old Chancelaire Baptiste, pictured, in connection with the boating incident that caused the deaths of 11 Haitian over the weekend.

According to the police, Baptiste, a Haitian, is 5 foot 10 inches tall, bald, of medium build and of brown complexion. His last known address was Sand Bank, Treasure Cay, Abaco.

Baptiste is believed to be the boat captain responsible for the attempted transportation of some 28 Haitians from Abaco to South Florida. The occupants of the vessel, "Glory Time" reportedly paid up to $5,000 per person to be smuggled into the United States.

Police so far have recovered 11 bodies from the sunken vessel. Seven survivors are currently helping police in their investigation, and 10 other passengers are still unaccounted for at this time. Some police sources believe that these 10 individuals, who are believed to be all illegal migrants, may be hiding on Abaco.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has pushed for stiffer penalties for persons convicted in the trafficking of persons, stressing that this practice of smuggling must be "stamped out."

Mr Mitchell, along with the leader of the FNM Dr Hubert Minnis and the leader of the DNA Branville McCartney have issued their condolences to the government and the people of Haiti over the deaths.