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

The Baths drowning: Tourist had swum to shore from charter vessel- RVIPF

A 52-year-old male US citizen lost his life on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, while swimming at The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Photo: Facebook/File
THE BATHS, Virgin Gorda, VI- A 52-year-old male US citizen lost his life while swimming at The Baths on Virgin Gorda on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) said the tourist was “found unresponsive” in the waters near The Baths.

“Initial inquiries indicate that the deceased was part of a group who swam ashore from a charter vessel when he was later observed floating motionless in shallow water,” Police Information Officer Akia L. Thomas-Nero told our News Centre today, March 17, 2025.

The American tourist was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing.

15 Responses to “The Baths drowning: Tourist had swum to shore from charter vessel- RVIPF”

  • suggestion (17/03/2025, 10:33) Like (44) Dislike (3) Reply
    DDM puts out warnings when swimming is dangerous at the Baths. There was a warning issued that day, as there has been for the past several days. Perhaps the Tourist Board should consider sharing those messages with charter boat companies or finding some other way to make sure they are informed. While it won't stop people who are determined to swim regardless, it would provide another layer of protection for the sensible ones.
    • I love this (17/03/2025, 11:02) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      This si the kind of level headed and pratical thinking needed . Instead of just pointing fingers and blaming. To you have any othe sage advice perhaps even on other topics? I would love to hear.
    • it is (17/03/2025, 13:13) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      The daily flag status is widely shared every morning. Charter companies, VISAR etc all have it.
    • @suggestion (18/03/2025, 21:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      DDM does not put out 'warnings'. The BVI Lifeguards put out Beach Advisories and the charter companies, cruise ship agents, and boat captains receive it - it is also very widely circulated. Accidents happen, but also persons underestimate how physically tasking swimming is and if anyone has underlying health issues they should not swim long distances or on beaches where there are no lifeguards (which would mean almost all of the beaches in the BVI, sorry). We must all be aware of our physical limitations. Very sad to hear of the death. Combines with the several other deaths last season, maybe, just maybe government will give sufficient budget to have enough lifeguards on our beaches who can help prevent some of these incidences.
      • @@suggestion (19/03/2025, 21:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        DDM shares weather forecasts and sea warnings, as necessary, every day. I receive them via WhatsApp.
  • Agreeable One (17/03/2025, 15:40) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    This makes no sense! If someone is drowning they would have struggled at some point in time and someone would have seen something going on. Wonder what the autopsy will say about the cause of death.
  • Don’t (17/03/2025, 15:55) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t blame nobody please
    Them is a certain breed of ppl that are fearless and nobody can’t tell them anything besides nobody knew if he catch cramp or cardiac arrest
    • Exactly (17/03/2025, 17:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      and it could have been exhaustion too. he may not have been a strong swimmer.
  • To the Family (17/03/2025, 16:19) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    So very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that despite how you feel, God will never leave you nor forsake you. Place all your cares upon him and he will carry you through the most challenging times of your life.
  • VG (17/03/2025, 16:31) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    All these charter boats form USVI never have their guests present their personal ID to custom/immigration to process. This has to stop A crewmember or captain do it all. I can't go to USVI and don't present myself to authority. These boats drop off crew at the dock head to Baths no one knows who/what is on board. Crazy
  • … (17/03/2025, 18:30) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hope it’s not for insurance
  • Really (18/03/2025, 06:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whats the count now. Cause this place has got to have a serious death toll by now.
  • Sending phone messages!? (18/03/2025, 07:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is called a "RED FLAG" because there is actually a Red Flag flying on a pole on the beach that you can see from your boat!!!!
    Getting comments from people that have not been on a sailboat visiting the Baths is not very helpful
    Some of these people disregard the Flag. That is the issue. The only way to fix this is to put someone in a boat and fine people (make them pay money for violations). The fines will pay for the patrol.
    Need legislation! Need National Parks to Step Up! This is all preventative, but you can't just send phone messages and make it go away!
    • We love.... (18/03/2025, 08:27) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Any punitive in the BVI don't we. Anyhing where we can say NO or FINE or POLICE them or say CANT . we love it. That is where our lack of customer engagement comes from, because NO is our default mode. No one said to just send phone messages but it is an action that can be taken that is realitvely easy to implement and saves lives. Your suggestion is also viable but it dosent have to be one or the other it can be BOTH. Your mindset is already negative , legislate , punish ,fine and in the process get some additional from those tourist that have a endless supply of cash because of course we know they are the enemy.


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit 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.