Police release man held after fatal boat crash
The following is a media release from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
Officers of the RVIPF Marine Branch are continuing their investigations in Saturday’s boating accident that took the life of one man.
Initial investigations indicate that sometime after 6:15 pm two motor vessels collided in the waters outside Prospect Reef. Onboard a 40-ft monohull with the name Blue Bayou was a captain and four passengers while on board the other, a 35-ft Contender with the name Yeya was a captain and two passengers.
The three persons on board the Yeya received severe injuries.
Frandy Martin Jr, a resident of Fat Hogs Bay, subsequently died of his injuries. The two others, male and female, are presently receiving treatment at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital. Of the five onboard the Blue Bayou, two minors were treated and discharged and a female continues to receive treatment at the hospital.
One man was arrested and has since been discharged in the matter pending further investigations.
Inquiries are continuing to determine the cause of the collision.
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If the larger boat was returning to Nanny Cay from Virgin Gorda and the small boat was returning from the Willie T, it would appear that the boat from Virgin Gorda had the right of way. It is essential that people piloting boats have licenses and boats are properly inspected. We do the same for cars don’t we? Imagine if we had training programs? We could control the out of control drug trade (which neither of these boats were involved in) and provide a safer boating environment for families to enjoy on our waters.
Honestly speaking,what point are you trying to make.some of you bloggers need just read the news and move on…..RIP Frandy,
You are absolutely right. People have boats that are more powerful (35′ Contender with twin 300’s can cruise at 50 kts…there is little or no reaction time if something goes wrong – and boats don’t have brakes!)
There are 5 rules of the road in boating (with several sub rules under the 5 basic rules). Rules of the Road are governed by the Collision Regulations. This should be taught in school to all children in the BVI. We live on the water and at some point every person will be on a boat on the water and should understand the simple rules.
If we don’t start teaching this we are going to have more people hurt in the BVI.
Was the captain of the lager boat drinking? Did he leave the wheel? Did he have the running lights engaged ? And did he leave the scene of the accident with out assisting the smaller boat
You seem to imply that the operator or maybe both operators, did not have licences nor had their boats inspected. Not sure what detective school you went to to come up with that as the cause of this tragedy Ahab, but maybe you need to shove your assumptions right where they came from!
Aucontraire . We should reflect on this tragic episode and consider new laws and regulations relating to boating. People operating boats should be licensed and certainly familiar with the principals of navigation and right of way. For example, when two boats are approaching each other the boat on the right has the right of way. Additionally, boats need to be licensed for safety and suitability. For example, one shouldn’t be allowed to attach dual 350hp engines to small boats as we typically see now. Let’s create the safest boating environment and do away with the drug trade!.
I do not see how this accident could be avoided by having vessel inspected, or having licenses.
Do not add bureaucratic paperwork, but enforce proper navigation lights and drunk driving.
Looks like you caught one on your fishing expedition. Nice work.
@Lawrence, I understand he left the scene of the accident instead of trying to help, not good.