Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Man killed in boating accident near Saba Rock is USVI resident Stephen Cross Jr

The man who died following a boating accident near Saba Rock on Friday, November 22, 2024, has been identified as US Virgin Islands (USVI) resident Stephen Cross Jr, 39. Photo: GoFundMe
According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), preliminary reports indicate that the 21-foot RHIB collided with the dinghy near Saba Rock, resulting in serious injuries to Stephen Cross Jr. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), preliminary reports indicate that the 21-foot RHIB collided with the dinghy near Saba Rock, resulting in serious injuries to Stephen Cross Jr. Photo: VINO/File
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- The man who died following a boating accident near Saba Rock on Friday, November 22, 2024, has been identified as US Virgin Islands (USVI) resident Stephen Cross Jr, 39.

The accident took place around 6:00 PM and involved a 21-foot RHIB and a dinghy.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), preliminary reports indicate that the 21-foot RHIB collided with the dinghy, resulting in serious injuries to Cross Jr.

Cross Jr was immediately transported to Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic and subsequently to Dr Orlando Smith Hospital for medical treatment.

“Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of medical personnel, Mr Cross succumbed to his injuries. The RVIPF extends condolences to the family and loved ones of Stephen Cross during this difficult time. Investigations into the incident are ongoing,” the RVIPF stated in a press release on November 26, 2024.

There was no mention of anyone being arrested.

Funds being raised for family of deceased

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account has been created for the family of Mr Cross Jr.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating loss of Stephen Cross Jr, who tragically lost his life as a victim in a boating accident while doing what he loved most as a boat captain. Stephen lived in the US Virgin Islands with the love of his life, Caitie, where he was cherished by her, his community, and all who knew him,” the creator of the account stated.
The GoFundMe target is $25,000.00.

“We are raising funds to assist his family with travel and funeral arrangements during this incredibly difficult time. Your support, whether big or small, will provide much-needed relief and comfort to his grieving loved ones,” the statement accompanying the account disclosed.

17 Responses to “Man killed in boating accident near Saba Rock is USVI resident Stephen Cross Jr”

  • Life is sometimes hard (27/11/2024, 13:03) Like (28) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is such an incredibly tragic occurrence and we pray the peace of God for his soul and for his loved ones.
  • bvibuzz (27/11/2024, 13:09) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    so sad RIP
  • Cindy (27/11/2024, 13:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is so sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad sad
  • Really (27/11/2024, 13:43) Like (4) Dislike (57) Reply
    The first article said it had eight people on the dingy so no one saw the 21 foot boat. Was everyone drunk because I just don't understand this because pure carelessness is to blame. Someone should have been looking at all directions because the big boat had lights so I just don't understand. Everyone needs to be cautious during the season
    • Come on (27/11/2024, 15:19) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
      The superyacht tender was moving at incredibly high speeds, in a well marked no-wake channel, at night.

      There is absolutely no debate that the superyacht tender is 100% to blame, and the First Mate who was operating the tender be charged to the full extent of the law for manslaughter.

      With that being said, please, please, please if you are a tourist visiting our beautiful islands on a dinghy, remember to bring headlights with you and use them at night on your dinghy. It can literally save your life.
    • @Really (27/11/2024, 15:45) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are such an arse. State the obvious when the article us about someone loosing their life...have some compassion for goodness sake.
      But since you raise it, people hire captains so they dont have to have the responsability . That is for the captain, that is why he is hired.
      Sincere condolences to the family and friends or ALL involved

    • Linda (27/11/2024, 17:10) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
      @ Really. Since the 21-foot boat had lights on and the Captain was driving carefully, why didn't he see them? So was everyone on this small boat drunk? So yes, pure carelessness is to blame, just like Frannie was mowed down, with all those aware people on the big boat. You all choose who you want to protect, TYPICAL! Let's see how this plays out.
      • @linda (28/11/2024, 13:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        lights on boats are not like lights on vehicles...you have a lights on a boat so you can be seen by other boats - the boat lights used for safety are not like car headlights that illuminate the area in front of you!
      • @linda (29/11/2024, 12:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        if you were able to have a seat in the court room for Frannie case you would have know Frannie captain was the one at fault not the other boat.

        its have rules on the water just like the road some people just don't follow none.

        but Frannie captain didnt had the right the way and cross infront of the other boat, as you should know boats don't have brakes and to gear down in time.

    • 123 (29/11/2024, 21:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was an extremely dark night that night and the RHIB that hit them was also black, traveling at high speed in a no wake zone.
  • vi (27/11/2024, 15:05) Like (13) Dislike (23) Reply
    Where is the pic of the boat that ran Stephen over, if it was an local captain his face would of been all over the news, since it's an white person no pic hmmmm
    • Hum (27/11/2024, 15:43) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      Who said he was white?
      And whats your f... racist point about that
      We cant go back, so go forward
      • Jolly Roger (28/11/2024, 00:24) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        A small dinghy’s with 6-8 people is the norm in ALL Caribbean islands. Full throttle it will go about 3-4 MPH. A rubber boat at 3 MPH running head on into another 3 MPH rubber dinghy or into a moored vessel, will do zero damage to either the vessel nor the people on board. If you do not know that then clearly you have never been to the Caribbean, nor the Bahamas. If someone was driving a larger boat or a jet ski, at high speed through a mooring field, that is criminal. Double that stupidity factor for doing it at night. Let’s hope they and the owner are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Get them off the water forever please. Our condolences to the family and the loved ones of the innocents that were mowed down.
        • @ Jolly R (28/11/2024, 08:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          I ‘d also add that moving at 4 knots equates to moving at 6.75 feet per second (less than a dinghy length), and laden with 6-8 people, maneuverability is diminished. Moreover, a person driving a dinghy with 6-8 people will have reduced lines of sight, and if they are using flashlights, possibly reduced night vision. Hence, reduced reaction time due to circumstances, but nothing to worry about if everyone else is driving at similar speed. A hard fiberglass boat travelling at 3-5 x those speeds does not allow much reaction time under the best of circumstances, nor a place to escape to, assuming they were able to see it coming.




          Alas, as much as dinghy operator may have been following all the rules of the road, it has also become all too common to see charter boat dinghies operated at high speeds in mooring fields in the last several years. The absence of enforcement eventually and lamentably leads to fatal events.
  • Fact Seeker (28/11/2024, 03:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not a little synopsis of what transpired, allegedly, let the population understand, allegedly, what to look out for and future precautions to be taken.
  • Oop (28/11/2024, 04:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    In before the racist com….oh darn, seems that didn’t take long
  • Virgin Islands (30/11/2024, 17:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    You’ll need to stop protecting these white South African captains to much $&@? be going in with them. Guess this will be swept under the table. Why no picture of the said vessel was posted nor the Capt. Guess this to shall pass



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.