Inquiry hears of multiple safety breaches in Saint Lucia boat collision that killed four

A Commission of Inquiry examining a July 18 boat collision at Anse Cochon, Anse La Raye, that claimed four lives heard detailed accounts on its opening day of systemic safety failures aboard both vessels involved in the incident.

Delan Nicholas, managing director of Ocean Angel, acknowledged before the Commission that he failed to conduct a safety briefing for passengers and did not issue life jackets, despite having them on board. He explained his role during the journey: "At the time of the incident, yes; for the entire journey, no. Upon departing, Tyrone was the captain, while I stood away and took over the helm at Anse Mamin." Nicholas admitted that navigation lights remained off from Soufrière until after he assumed command at Anse Mamin. He also confirmed he had not notified the Soufrière lighthouse of the vessel's departure, a requirement under maritime law.

Passenger Roxanne Bonaparte, who could not swim, recounted asking the captain for a life jacket and being told "I am safe with him." She testified that throughout the journey, no one aboard wore a life jacket and that she only received one while in the water following the collision. Bonaparte described the boat as moving faster than usual with poor visibility and said she observed no navigation lights during the passage.

Elias Nicholas, a fisherman and cousin of Delan Nicholas, corroborated that he saw no lights on Ocean Angel. He noted that the vessel moved faster under Delan Nicholas's control than under the previous captain, Tyrone Paul. After the collision, Elias Nicholas retrieved a life jacket from the water and climbed onto the overturned hull, sustaining a head injury and broken leg in the process.

Irenus Pascal, owner of Cazorla Jr, the other vessel involved, told the Commission that his regular licensed captain was unavailable on July 18, requiring Tyson Hippolyte to operate the boat. Pascal acknowledged that no safety briefing took place and that the lighthouse received no notification of the vessel's departure. He stated the boat had been travelling faster than normal on the return journey and that the driver was asked to reduce speed. While Pascal maintained that Cazorla Jr's navigation lights were functioning, he said he had not sighted the approaching vessel and received no alert from the lookout.

The collision resulted in four deaths, including crew member Tyrone Paul, and left several people injured. One vessel was destroyed and the other sank.

The Commission, appointed September 1, 2026, is tasked with investigating the collision's circumstances and reviewing Saint Lucia's maritime legislation. Its mandate includes recommending provisions for a modern maritime act and examining standard operating procedures for maritime activity, safety and investigations.