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'Drunk' skipper reportedly caused man to be chopped by propeller on party boat

- Rajir Pickering allegedly started engine before all clear was given
Boat captain Rajir Pickering is being accused of failing to await the all-clear signal before starting the engine of a boat on which a resident of St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) came into contact with the propeller on June 16, 2019. Photo: VINO.
An edited image of the injured man on the party boat after he was hauled from the waters at Peter Island on June 16, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters
An edited image of the injured man on the party boat after he was hauled from the waters at Peter Island on June 16, 2019. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Thirty-three-year old boat captain Rajir Pickering is being accused of failing to await the all-clear signal before starting the engine of a boat on which a resident of St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) came into contact with the propeller.

Prosecutor Kael London said Pickering skippered the Bella Rosa on June 16, 2019, after the Buju Banton show, to a number of the outer islands. Its final stop was at the Willy T, which was at the time located at Great Harbour, Peter Island.

At approximately 5:20pm Pickering reportedly sounded the horn, alerting passengers the boat was about to leave.

The defendant; however, allegedly fired up the engine just as the virtual complainant was making his way up the back steps from the water. The propellers reportedly made contact with his buttocks and legs.

The virtual complainant was taken to Peebles Hospital and was subsequently sent abroad for further medical attention.

Captain was reportedly intoxicated 

The prosecution said the virtual complainant’s report indicated that Pickering was drunk during the journey.

The virtual complainant said when he and his siblings boarded the vessel at the CSY dock on Tortola he noticed the defendant, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, heading to the wheel with a young lady.

The same young lady was seen sitting in the captain’s chair while the defendant navigated the boat.

Reckless charge

The VI Belonger was then charged with reckless and negligent act.

Pickering did not enter a plea when he appeared for the first time before Magistrate Samuel Jack Husbands last Thursday, October 11, 2019.

Pickering’s attorney Andrew Morrison pleaded to the court that his client was a captain for several years with no previous convictions.

The defendant was then granted $10,000 signed bail and is to return on December 5, 2019.

He is to surrender his travel documents and report to the Road Town Police Station on Fridays, between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm.

15 Responses to “'Drunk' skipper reportedly caused man to be chopped by propeller on party boat”

  • Bulldawg (14/10/2019, 11:33) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a thing.
    Where was the mate or mates at that time?
    These commercial boats need 1 or 2 mates depending on the size of the vessel.
    • unknown (14/10/2019, 15:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I asked this same question as well, where were his mates? Seems as if the mates despite if he did consumed alcohol or not, were not doing their jobs as a mate nor were they taking heed of the Captain's orders as well. So they too I feel should be blamed because they play a big role as being the extra eyes and ears of the situation.
      • FEO GOMEZ (15/10/2019, 07:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

        You dint need the assistance of mates....WHEN THE BOAT IS DOCKED AND TIED BETWEEN 2 OTHER BOATS! This man nearly kill a man to rush to spend time with an u***y chic! You engaged the engine of boat that’s still docked and tied with all kind of people in the water!? The INTELLIGENCE of locals only surpassed by the ugliness smh.

        • Hmm (15/10/2019, 10:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          So I assume you calling the young lady ugly should have made your statement sound any better? I don't see the need for name calling to make a point. So you sound just as ugly as you claim her to be.
  • Glen (14/10/2019, 13:36) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Captains are not supposed to be drinking alcohol when taking passengers out. He is in big trouble now. A Captains job is to get his passengers to and from safely, not be part of the party. SMDH.
  • VG Resident (14/10/2019, 13:47) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Driving a boat or a car while drinking should attract a huge fine, like $25,000
  • Really (14/10/2019, 14:25) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    so if the persons realised that the captain was intoxicated why did they get on the boat? that's my question
    • unknown (14/10/2019, 15:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      That's a very good question. So something doesn't sound right. Cause I for sure know if I see an intoxicated captain I was not hopping on that boat.
      • RealTalk (15/10/2019, 16:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        How can you see an intoxicated captain? Was he wearing a hat that said intoxicated captain? Or anything at all that said hey I'm the captain. How is someone supposed to know if someone is intoxicated? And since when is the passenger on a vessel responsible for checking to see who among the crew is sober or not? Use your brain. The part that didn't sound right was that guy screaming for dear life. GTFOH!!!
  • USCG Would Test (15/10/2019, 09:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the USVI anytime there is an accident or even a heart attack victim captain is required to submit to drug and alcohol test immediately. This is part of having a captains license along with mandatory ongoing drug screening . I presume we dont even have breathalizer equipment here?
  • Malicious lies! (15/10/2019, 16:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The man was not drunk. That is a foolish accusation to sensationalize the situation. There is zero proof that he was drunk so please don’t smear the man’s reputation.
    • RealTalk (15/10/2019, 18:26) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      He was Drunk. Were you there? You weren’t. What sober captain puts his boat in gear while docked and tied between two boats with passengers in the water and on the other boat? It’s not smearing his reputation. He ruined it when he did what he did all throughout that day that then amounted to his lack of judgment to do such and have this event transpire. If you are going to Take part in any discussion about this and you were not there you are peddling in nothing but speculation and hear say.
      The man was wrong. I know it and he knows it. Everyone there knows it. Point blank period.
  • NezRez (15/10/2019, 23:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    How is the patient doing? No one cares about him? All this bickering and not one mention of the injured victim. SMH
    • Xtreme (20/10/2019, 07:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      He finally made it back to STT last week after many surgeries. Praying for his continued recovery. Thanks for asking.
  • Victim (17/10/2019, 01:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lock he up


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