Six escape injury in Beef Island boat incident
According to reports received by Virgin Islands News Online, rescue efforts came from a boat provided by Scrub Island as well as Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR).
Head of VISAR, Mr Phil Aspinall, related that a water taxi from St Thomas was at the time delivering six passengers to Scrub Island but the boat ran aground after losing its way.
It was reported that poor weather conditions may have contributed to the incident which occurred around 9:30PM.
According to Aspinall, a ferry from Scrub Island responded to the stranded passengers but the vessel was too large to enter the area where the boat was. VISAR later responded to a call from Scrub Island and managed to rescue the passengers.
There were no injuries reported as a result of the accident.
Acting Information Officer with the Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), Sgt Carl Mason, said no reports were received of the incident so far.
Virgin Islands News Online will provide more details as they become available.
29 Responses to “Six escape injury in Beef Island boat incident”
Yes they cleared customs - they had cleared customs at 7:10, but the i...t that was driving the boat didn't have a GPS system (so they got lost) or the ability to get in touch with coast guard. The passengers on the boat had to contact someone in the states to call coast guard and they were RESCUED at 9:30. The color of their skin is irrelevant.
This charter company does this all the time and the proper procedures are followed. Its just an incident where bad weather prevailed. Quite fortunately though, our BVI VISAR Team (Volunteers) were readily available to assist.