During the IMO's Security Committee sessions held in London between May 28th and June 6, 2003, the United States praised the government of Panama for "aggressively exercising its jurisdiction" in the case of the Panamanian-flagged vessel WELL PESCADORES. Three Dominican survivors' stowaways had accused the WELL PESCADORES' crew of beating and throwing overboard causing the drowning of two of the five persons who had stowed away aboard the vessel when it prepared to leave the port of Haina, in the Domincan Republic. Upon the survivors' arrival in Houston and after the stowaways' claims were reported to the US Coast Guard, the government of the United States and the government of Panama " began working closely to investigate the case and take appropriate action", said the US delegate.