STATEMENT ON EXUMA BOAT INCIDENT

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (BMOTA) is deeply saddened by yesterday’s tour boat incident in Exuma. We pray for the family of the passenger who succumbed to her injuries, and offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends as they mourn her loss. Our prayers are also with all the other passengers who were aboard as they recover. 

The Ministry of Tourism immediately sought to lend assistance to those affected and continues to work on the ground to provide emotional support and to help facilitate any needed arrangements. The Exuma tourism team and the Ministry’s Visitor Relations Unit (VRU) have been working to comfort and care for those on the boat, their families and friends. This team works directly with visitors as a liaison with local authorities, health organizations, pastoral care and more. In this, the Ministry and VRU are coordinating with the Ministry of Health to provide as much relief as possible to these visitors during this difficult time.   

The BMOTA is grateful for the emergency response efforts of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) on Exuma, and for the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard in evacuating four passengers to Florida for medical treatment. 

The RBPF, Bahamas Maritime Authority and Bahamas Port Department are investigating the incident and the BMOTA awaits their updates and findings.