Passengers from last night’s capsized vessel are safe, says VISAR
The three passengers who were on a boat that capsized in BVI waters late last night are all safe.
That is according to Director of Operations at Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), Phil Aspinall who told BVI News that the trio was returning to Nanny Cay from Norman Island when their vessel took on water and sank in the Havers/Pockwood Pond area.
One of the passengers, strapped with a floater, swam to shore and raised an alarm which prompted VISAR and the Police Marine Unit to action.
The other two passengers were eventually rescued and all three were unharmed.
“All were saved. Everything is fine. The boat was saved, the people were saved, and everybody is alright,” said Aspinal who also told our news that it is still unclear what cause the vessel to take on water.
“I don’t know why. That is a question for the boating people to sort but we were called around 11:40 last night. We went out with the police and between us, we found them and recovered them, and everybody is fine,” Aspinall said.
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More lives saved by this volunteer organisation – thank you to all involved.
BVI governments provides zero funding to it, would be nice if the Unity government could start providing some $$$.
Coming from Norman intoxicated?
You should be changed for buying it for them.
To god be the glory
Were there lifejackets on the boat?
Well done Visar
Most small vessels in the BVI are required to have an electronic means of communication when underway. Primarily a water resistant VHF radio or cell phone to call for assistance in an emergency.
Apparently this vessel had nothing. Thank the Lord that one person was able to swim ashore, notify VISAR and the remaining passengers were rescued.
So if the boat capsized how are they going to call. Go underneath the boat and do it. I guess the persons phone get wet too.
Pain killer and some smart bush in he MS. Steady hands at the helm, forgot that sauce a d bush had he wing wong.
No not one
Were they smuggling? Norman Island is a known drop point…
Very likely…why else were they out boating at that hour…moments before the smugglers were caught. The 3 need to be arrested too.
dont you think they already give the police their reason for being in the water. what time do businesses in other islands closed. what time will T closes arent they being supported by local boaters too. how do they reach will T is it not by a boat? it aint sounds so when visar had to go rescue them 2 good swimmers.
So they told police the reason and it’s a secret to everyone else??
only thing in bvi that saves lives. no gov $. wheres ports on busting a boat without safety gear (locals?) bs. show me a list of anything marine cops of custom have done with $millions of payroll and marine kit?
Talk to the governor their under his portfolio… Yet yall make this a excuse to bash locals
VISAR wonderful people and organisation thank you God for these good Samaritans who are on call 24/7. So where is the consequences to the owneror captain of the boat for not having the proper emergency equipment on board which is now a legal requirement with BVI shipping and having ones boat requested ??
The marine police should be working 24hours to be able to deal with these type of emergencies at nights. There are several businesses on those sister Islands that operates up to midnight and have to commute across the water to the main land. There are sleeping quarters at the base to facilitate the night shift