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North region on alert from heavy rains

The torrential rains have severely affected the Dominican Republic, especially the North region. Some areas were flooded. The most affected zones are Nagua, Santiago, Monte Plata, Dajabon, Puerto Plata and Moca. According to the reports, two men, both residents of Santiago, died. The Emergencies Operations Center announced yellow alerts for the North region. Citizens of other provinces were asked to remain alert to the weather bulletins and to take precautions agaisnt possible mudslides and overflowing rivers.

Whale-watching can be dangerous if one scorns the rules

During an excursion to the Silver Bank whale sanctuary area, a whale attacked the tourist boat and hit two U.S. tourists. The injured tourists were given emergency first aid on the scene before being transported to Centro Medico Bournigal in Puerto Plata. One of them suffered trauma to the spinal vertebrae when the whale lashed out with its tail.

The incident happened because the boat came too near to a whale with a calf. According to reports, a strong current carried the boat toward the whale, which flapped its tail in response and injured two members of the group.

International rules for whale-watching excursions require that vessels must keep a minimum distance of 270 feet (80m) away from any adult whales, for passengers' safety as well as for the protection of the whales themselves.

Sister sanctuaries will protect endangered humpback whales

A sister sanctuary agreement was established between the NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Massachusetts and the Marine Mammal Sanctuary of the Dominican Republic.

Whale watching is a major ecotourism industry in both the Marine Mammal Sanctuary of the Dominican Republic and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Both sanctuaries provide support for the same population of around 900 humpback whales, which spend spring and summer in the rich feeding grounds of Stellwagen Bank and then go south to the warmer waters of the Dominican Republic in late fall to mate and give birth to their young. The sister sanctuary agreement was designed to protect endangered humpback whales at both ends of annual migration.

The Caribbean's largest bridge to open in the Dominican Republic

The recently constructed bridge across the Higuamo river in San Pedro province of the Dominican Republic is the longest suspension bridge in the Caribbean and one of the most modern bridges in the region.

The bridge's length is 626 m. It has 6 lanes in each direction and can resist hurricane winds of up to 240 KPH. The bridge was built by the Public Works Ministry at a cost surpassing RD$1 billion.

Ocean World Marina and Casino opened on the north shore of the Dominican Republic in Cofresi

Ocean World Marina and Casino celebrated its grand opening on December 16, 2006. Located on the north shore of the Dominican Republic in Cofresi, just three miles west of Puerto Plata, Ocean World Marina is an outstanding facility that features 104 wet slips that can accommodate vessels up to 250 feet in length.

It is the only full-service marina located between the Bahamas area and the Eastern Caribbean region. Each slip provides potable water, electricity, internet access, TV, 24-hour security, and telephone. On-site services also include weather service, laundry and showers, car rental services, food delivery, shops, repair services and a fuel dock.

Ocean World Marina was officially appointed as a port of entry complete with immigration and customs facilities.

The state-of-the-art building of Ocean World Casino is adjacent to the marina. It offers visitors not only gaming but also five-star dining, live music, cocktail lounges and the feature event the Bravissimo Show.


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