The Commission of Inquiry into the deadly boating accident at Anse Cochon commenced public hearings in Parliament today, with evidence from the investigating officer and witnesses recounting the events of that fateful night.
The collision occurred on July 18, 2026, and involved Ocean Angel and Cazorla Jr., the vessels identified in the government’s official notice outlining the commission’s mandate.
Among those testifying was Roxanne Bonnapart, one of nine people aboard the vessel travelling from Soufriere towards Gros Islet. That number also included owner and captain Dylan Nicholas and first mate Tyrone Paul.
Bonnapart told the commission she requested a life jacket upon boarding, explaining that she could not swim. The captain’s response, she recalled, was: “You are safe with me.”
She said she was not given one before departure. Nobody aboard was wearing a life jacket, and passengers received no safety briefing.
Her testimony described how the journey changed after the captain took over the controls from Paul, who initially operated the boat out of Soufriere at a moderate speed.
According to her police statement, read during the hearing, the captain said the first mate did not know how to “push the boat” and that he would show him.
Bonnapart said the vessel then travelled faster than she had experienced on previous trips aboard it. Passengers bounced on their seats as the front of the boat repeatedly rose out of the water.
She asked the captain to stop so she could secure her phones in her bag. When the journey resumed, she said, he continued travelling fast. Someone called out in Creole for him to take it easy, but she noticed no reduction in speed.
Seated two benches in front of the captain, Bonnapart said the raised bow blocked her view ahead. She also described cloudy, dark conditions following earlier rain.
Under questioning, she explained that the weather limited visibility generally, while the front of the vessel prevented her from seeing any approaching boat.
Bonnapart testified that she observed no navigation lights when the vessel approached the Soufriere waterfront or during the journey. Asked why she boarded despite noticing their absence, she said she had travelled with the captain before and “did not think much of it at the time.”
Commission members also clarified her evidence about life jackets. She maintained that nobody was wearing one, but could not recall whether any were stored aboard.
She could not describe the precise circumstances of the impact or confirm the boat’s speed immediately beforehand. Her next recollection was being in the water.
After the impact, Bonnapart said she and others held onto a detached piece of the vessel while screaming for help. Someone handed her a life jacket while she was in the water, although she could not identify the person or say where it came from.
One boat passed without stopping. Another came to their assistance after someone in the group flashed a phone light to attract attention. Bonnapart recognised the rescuer as a friend from Baron’s Drive.
The wait for rescue felt like hours, she said, although she was later told it had lasted only minutes. She could not give an exact duration.
Chaired by retired Justice Mario Michel, the commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the collision and is tasked with recommending improvements to maritime safety, regulatory oversight and accident investigation.
