Boat Carrying 20 People Runs Aground
[Updated] Yesterday evening [July 31] the 34-foot ‘Balley Ho’ ran aground off Spanish Point with 20 persons onboard. The boat struck a reef and began taking on water at approximately 9:15pm.
Boat passengers were transported via other vessels to Darrell’s Wharf, and as of this morning, the boat remains in position just off Spanish Point Boat Club:
A spokesperson from the Bermuda Maritime Operations Center said, “On Sunday 31st July at 09:25 pm Bermuda Radio received a call from the 34 ft pleasure craft ‘Balley Ho’ to report that they had ran aground off Peter Tuckers Bay, Spanish Point with 20 persons onboard.
“The ‘Balley Ho’ had struck the reef and was taking on water. Bermuda Radio commenced Mayday Relay broadcasts requesting urgent assistance and also tasked the marine police to attend.”
“A marine police unit promptly arrived on scene to assist. A number of local boats had also responded to the call and all persons onboard the ‘Balley Ho’ were safely rescued.”
“The incident highlights a number of safety related issues as the vessel did not have enough lifejackets for all persons onboard. In addition a VHF radio was not readily available for use which helps establish a boats exact location.”
“Bermuda radio would like to remind all boat users of the importance of having the correct safety and radio equipment onboard.”
According to data from the Bermuda Weather Service, it was high tide when the boat ran aground.
Update 5:30pm: The boat was removed at approximately 5pm this afternoon through the use of a barge and a crane, photos below courtesy of John Manderson:
While at the removal, we spoke with someone close to the situation who said they had rescued a jet ski and were taking in into Spanish Point. Upon leaving, they cut to the wrong side of the pole, which they said was unlit.
The boat had just been put overboard yesterday, and contrary to the official statement this person said the vessel had more than enough lifejackets on board. He also expressed how difficult it was to see that cut in the dark, and that the maps and GPS were not sufficient to warn them of their route.
$100,000 plus boat. Not enough jackets. No VHF……Lucky people. Must have come from the Non-Reefers party…..
Book em Dano………
FYI …..that $100,000 plus boat had more than enought jackets!!
Pole Unlit??? Its a reef marker with a red reflector. Its never been a light on that one. Anyone who knows local waterways and can read a reef marker will know which side to safely pass on. Like those pesky jet skiers, Just because you have $$$$$ don’t make you a boater. Take Ralph Richardsons course or read his book or let a competent person drive your boat, which is a lot cheaper than the repairs your facing m8
And your point is……………….Unlesss you have your spotlight on the whole time while navigating, then regardless of reflectors you will not see the marker. Which is why they all should be lite.
$40,000 boat unless you really love that paint job lol just cause you can buy it, doesn’t mean you know what to do with it…
Apparently just because you have a $100,000 boat, don’t mean you have common sense to go with it. Some people just don’t belong on the water
The same boat ran aground off of baileys bay last week and needed 3 jet-ski’s to tow it to safety…
Stop spreading rumors that boat was not even in the water last week.
How sure are you about that comment?!?….I cant stand when pople like you think you know what your talking about……Here is an FYI for you…..THAT BOAT WAS NOT IN THE WATER LAST WEEK!!!
An it shore ain’t gonna be there this week either. lol
I say ppl need to take lessons on driving ont he water cause most ppl now who have aquired boats and jet skies dont kno the rules of the water.. I just said the other day some1 will run aground out spanish point real soon. go figure..
THIS IS NOT THE 1ST BOAT TO RUN AGROUND IN THE SAME AREA AND CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE THE LAST. EXPERIENCED BOATERS (SPECIFICALLY ONE OF 13YRS EXPERINCE)RAN AGROUND AS WELL. NOT TO MENTION THE CRUISE SHIP THAT RAN AGROUND SAME SPOT ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO.
WHAT ABOUT EXPERIENCED DRIVERS OF THE ROAD THAT GET IN ACCIDENTS?
THINGS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!
“Unbelievable” people should have to take Navigation courses, and go out with experienced “learner boat instructors” (like car driving instructors) before being allowed to skipper HUGE boats like this one….. Small boats are probably not so bad, although even bike riders have to have a driving test… Doesn’t look like this pilot knew what he was doing……… Let’s see how many of those “20 people on board” help him deal with this !!!!!
Naw, jes charge’em the recovery fees…each time. They’ll either learn the ropes or just abandon it. 20 Souls on board that little thing?? lol
I call people like this – A Weekend Warrior !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome
Do the police take breathalysers/check if people are intoxicated when these sorts of things happen? I mean, come on — 20 people on that boat at 9pm on Non Mariners? No brainer.
Stop the speculation. The guy does NOT drink and NEVER has! Someone just made an error . It happens
Soooo….accidents only happen when your intoxicated?!? For the record ….the captain was far from drunk!!! It was a simple miscalculation…..THATS ALL FOLKS…NOTHING MORE OR LESS….STOP THE RUMORS….SMH…FLIPPIN BERMUDIANS!!
An important FYI….. this is the correct spelling of “Breathalyzer”
NO BRAINER huh??? The driver of the boat does not even drink alcohol!!!! Bermudaians are always quick to assume and critise! How do you even know the driver was not given a breathalyser? They only would’ve printed had he failed. Food for Thought…..
9:15pm…getting dark or past it. Familiar waters can be challenging especially when you think you know. That area has had many wrecks and groundings. Depending on the tide he’s be better off going through the channel between that island and the old dry docks and point.
Look at it this way. CXould not have been making too much headway or there would have been serious injuries and the bottom would have realy holed, especially abaft the beam….
After all these groundings they better re-name her “Reefer or Reef Muncher”…..
BBS says that no reef pollips were injured in this incident…..
Finally someone talking some sense!!!
Some people just can’t handle the Non-Mariners festiveeeeeee!
Captain CCRRrunch!
Not making excuses ,but navigating at night in our waters is no fun at all. As the boat is still perched on it’s grounding spot , it would at least appear that he was going slowly ..or relatively slowly.
He was very lucky he didn’t slide into deeper water after the prang or the boat would be a virtual write-off !
For most of you know it alls who posted above me^^ fail to realize the tide was low yesterday from 6 – 9pm last night. Add on top of that a few drinks and navigating at night somewhere their probably not to familiar with. I’ll be the first to say I’m glad no one was injured. Unlike all you others who sound jealous not to have this boat..smfh
If in doubpt….’come about’ Ganja Mon…..And no um not jealous. What a moron. Stick to open water or ask….oh thats rite….no freeking radion…….bwhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Must have money because he won’t get insurance once that bottom is surveyed and it’s gonna cost big bucks.
what you fail to realize is low tide was at 3 pm and hight tide was around 9… it was an especially high tide as well…Maybe the “know it alls” know more than you… btw there are not 3hr low tides after 3 hrs the tide would be considered mid-tide…
Thank you ‘wow’ .. the tides HAVE been extra high for the last week or so but I guess some people aren’t just happy with re-writing history , they have to argue with the tides and weather now.
um this is not me please put a 2 or something by ya name so folks would not get confused
We just did it manually…
Yes…..the tide was low!!! NO drinks…..but think they are really jealous.
No, the tide was high
http://www.weather.bm/Tools/TideTimes.asp?Month=7&Year=2011
Not quite at FULL high tide (by inches) but high tide that night was above normal, so by 9pm it would have already been higher than normal high tide
if it was low it would not have gotten perched so high on the rocks, as the picture shows they are well above the low tide mark.
I was just surfin and saw a picture in dee Royal Gizzard about this bote. Hay dee hal he runn ahgrand ven his bow his pointin dee vey dee harrow his………
Must be dee ‘Reefer Police”….detz rite…… Maybee sumone laft dee Robinhood ann needed ann harrow from dee peck……..Rub dee ritch my barnickles………..
I’m jealous of the paint job….does it glow in the dark?
How about waiting to find out what really happened! I was on a boat heading to Hamilton and many big boats wr crossing smaller boats off! Really unsafe choces!
if the boats were heading towards DOCKYARD, or Spanish Point , and you were heading towards town then you were in the wrong, if coming from the previous mentioned heading south then they were in the wrong… size of the boat has little to do with right of way unless in cramped positions…rules of the road, just wish more people knew them, and those that do know them actually applied them
Say what you want about your “rules of the road” but when navigating a vessel one should act as if there was no “right of way”.
and not try to navigate anywhere near reefs/markers when there is a massive bay/channel just south. lol steer clear!!!!
i think(and hope) you mean …..when one is operating a boat they should assume that others on the water don’t have a clue, which is generally the case in Bermuda… a basic seamanship course should be mandatory for all boat operators especially jet skiers.. if the Marine Police ever enforced the rules when boating and started handing out tickets, they would quickly be able to gold plate their fleet with all the fines they would accrue…
happy boating
Thank you!
Guys wer Drunk buh =0
Non-Mariners!!
HELLO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone has a boat ! !they would tell you . on tha WATER ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN !!!!!!!! BIGG UP NON MARINERS
Like hitting the giant boiler off of Spanish Point? Everyone who has taken a navigation course knows to avoid that area.
Oh Honestly…get real. When you opperate something that large, you should never be in an area like that regardless of small boats or ducks or freeking flying fish………
If you don’t knnow the area, they be patient. It has taken it’s toll over the years. You either know or you “GO”. You can navigate with a ten foot draft at tide in this area if you know. Might knock a few barnicles off…but that good.
Thats why dee See Wantchair rain ahgrahund…….Meerine Han Pahortz fourgot two chaing dee lite bulbz……wufflazz Breetish……
Now back to regular programming………give me a cycalist hin dee bushes or sumtin……
Do noodles count?
the boat looks like a wellcraft 34 grand sport, and with 20 people on it, it was grossly overloaded, lucky the in-ability of the captain to see the arrow on the marker(yes that reef has a marker on it) didnt result in major injuries… glad everyone is safe but hope the boat is a rite-off to keep this idiot off the water.
Classic ooops when you’re really not familiar with a particular spot.
There are many hidden obstacles below the water here, if you don’t know where they are you better BE CAREFUL!
No the post is not lit at Spanish Point, never has been, but if you have a floodlight you can pick out the reflective tape on the marker.
Lesson learned I hope, at least he wasn’t going too fast
PEOPLE IF IT ISNT YOUR BOAT ; IF YOU ARENT PAYING FOR THE DAMAGES; IF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS WERE NOT ON THE BOAT AND IF YOU WEREN’T INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT! THEN SHUT THE F!#K UP AND MIND YOUR BUSINESS! THATS WHATS WRONG WITH THIS ISLAND TO MANY RUMORS TOP MANY POKEY @$$ PEOPLE WORRYING ABOUT WHAT DON’T CONCERN THEM . GET AH LIFE AND GO CRUISE ON YOUR OWN BOAT AND STRIKE A REEF YOURSELF ! HOW BOUT THAT!
Considering i saw that exact boat anchor and pull back pretty much on top of another guy’s anchorline, i’d say his driving does indeed affect me and my safety.
considering i was on the boat right next to the one you are talking about, yes i would have to agree. watching these guys had me on edge all day…
lol as was i…
hahah right next to it on port or starboard
shut up punk…..ya saying anything!! if you so worried about your safety…why not say anything?!? you saying something now….after the fact….REALLY! SOUNDS LIKE A PUNK TO ME!!
that’s why I don’t go to these events….guys don’t know what they are doing, you try to tell them somthing and they blow up, their ‘guests’ get crazy, next thing you know, your boat is on the bottom of the bay next week…stay away from crazy, its like tellin your kids if you don’t want to get caught up, don’t go to the dancehall
things were said that day, and things were said back. so no punkin here!
AMEN….these dumb a%% people making up s*** to say!!
really? were you there? i was! and if you were there, tell me what boats was this one riding up on?
Yer yellin…
Yer yellin’….
I’d like to thank the operators of this boat, and the one that ran into trouble the other week off the oil docks, in saving me a lot of money. Up to now, I complied with the safety requirements, buying flares, radios, life jackets etc which were never used but now I don’t have to. Flares became time expired so I bought new; forget that. I don’t need life jackets or need to have a radio. I can save about $700 thanks to not needing these safety requirements. Rather like jet ski trailers – why spend the money to be legal when 95% aren’t and nothing happens.
@ Sgut up…..Your right. It’s just a rumor. He was actually hauling lobster pots. People should not judge…..shame……..
Speculation..Speculation…I would think the safety of those on board would be paramount than the amount the owner has spent on the boat…and for all of those offering advice or commenting on his navigation skills since you know so much and are well versed on the tides, reefs, rules of the sea etc…why don’t you offer your services…..and no I don’t know who the owner is but if he has the money to spend on buying a boat and getting repaired then that’s on him..so damned amazed that the majority are focusing on the value of the boat than of the lives on board…
Typical Bermudians weren’t present but kno the whole story
WHERE IS THE LIKE BUTTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a conversation just yesterday about how everyone wants to run out and buy a boat to try and out do the next person. Bermudians need to realize that operating a boat in Bermuda waters is not an easy task. There are too many inexperienced people operating boats these days. Just because you have the money to buy a boat, doesn’t mean you have the skill necessary to operate it.
I am just glad everyone on the boat made it off safely. Hopefully they will know better next time and head in early so that they are able to see more clearly the dangers lurking in our waters….
You have to hate know it all Bermudian Mariners who think they are the only ones who should be on the water. This guy made a mistake but for gods sake give him a break. He’s out with his buddies on our great holiday trying to show them all good time on his recently launched boat and all people can do is mock a boat that they probaly cant afford themselves even if it is a 40k boat. We all have the right to enjoy these waters and don’t let any bearded, fish potting ,drug running llobster thieftell you otherwise.
IT REALLY IS A SHAME WHEN PEOPLE JUST FLING COMMENTS WITHOUT KNOWING THE TRUE STORY.
FROM SOMERSET TO ST.GEORGE THE BEST OF MARINERS AND WEEKEND BOATSMAN CAN RELATE TO MISS HAPPS ON THR WATERS INCLUDING SOME OF THE MOST EXSPENSIVE BOATS IN BDA WICH BY THE WAY INCLUDES SOME OF THE TOP NAMES IN THE BOATING WORLD.JUST CHECK AROUND YOUR LOCAL BOAT YARDS ANYTIME YOU LIKE AND YOU WILL GET THE HORROR STORIES THAT GO WITH ALMOST EVERY CRAFT THERE FOR REPAIRS
JUDGE NOT,LESS YE BE JUDGED……
BY THE WAY, AND NOT TO PLAY THE RACE CARD,BUT DO YOU THINK THAT IF THAT BOAT OWNER HAD TIES TO ANY OF THE ELITE BOAT AND DINGHY CLUBS AROUND BERMUDA THAT WE WOULD EVEN HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS.
No , that’s not the race card ..it’s the ‘Ignorance Card’… duuuh
Do you think that the letters ‘RBYC’ or RHADC on the stern would have really somehow made the incident ‘go away’ .
You all need to get over your conspiracy theories .. really
@ SC – course ya woulda heard bout it…still woulda made de news. what difference does de story make if it were a black/white/purple guy??! ya pullin de race card yaself.
are you retarded? its a massive purple/yellow boat sitting on a reef… of course we would have heard of this…
…ugh after the convo’s i heard last night regarding another matter and now your statement, its a wonder everyone hates each other.
Reading the comments above…..the majority of you talk a bunch of b/s. You don’t know the situation and there wasn’t any drugs/alchol involved with this particular incident. IF you know the owner….you’d know that this person wouldn’t violate any codes/policies and is VERY familiar with the water rules and regulations! Mistakes happen….you can not read this and say to yourself….NOT ME!! Get over it and look into your own back yard before you cast any stones!
except the rule that while under way there must be a life jacket for each person(s) on board
Just as chimps fling their poo when aggrivated, chumps fling their throw-away comments just to see what sticks. Main thing is, no one was seriously hurt (other than owner’s pride and wallet). What ever the circumstances were that led to the boat’s grounding – unless you were one of those involved, none of you are qualified to comment. Have a bit of cop-on and grow up!
Don’t worry bout these negative people….Like everything else in life you live n you learn. Just make sure you learn from your mistake thats all, glad everyone on board was safe….Bless Up!!
guy doesnt know how to drive the boat anyways…. saw him trying to raft up in mangrove bay…
agreed here… pulling back on anchor pretty much a long jump off someone’s pulpit…
not very clever..
Anchor didnt catch 1st had to drop it again .. happens everyday on the “water”
I’ve known the owner for years, he doesn’t drink and never has,and knows the rules of the water. Stop hating on him, PLEASE!!! Bermudians always have something to say!!! It’s an accident and accidents do happen!! Be glad no one was hurt. You all need to stop with the chatter it makes no sense and further more to the rumor “The boat was in the water last week” Get your facts Str8 M8.
Anyone can go up on the rocks. Not just amateurs.
Either way I feel sorry for the owner. Cause a boat that size will not be cheap to salvage and/or repair.
B.O.A.T = Bring Out Another Thousand!
There are many ameature boaters out there on Bermuda waters… I’ve heard some stories about people arriving in Bermuda and within a month purchase a boat. Never been driven a boat before and take tne boat out and within a week destroy the boat and buy another one.
This person had experienced boatsmen show him the ropes. An experinced boatsmen shared that he had just taken his boat off that reef last week. I say he should not have taken the jet ski in there, then he would not be in this mess.
fyi… he had more life jackets then people on the boat and less than 15 people on board… also the radio was fully operational.