Blue Lagoon services suspended after American woman dies when Ferry sinks off Nassau, Bahamas 

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#TheBahamas, November 15, 2023 – An American woman on holiday with her husband lost her life in a tragic boat accident in The Bahamas as they were on their way to enormously popular, Blue Lagoon Island near Paradise Island; a sad day at the Nassau port.

The loss of the currently unnamed woman, who was a cruise passenger on board a Royal Caribbean ship, looms painfully over the archipelago following the incident that took place on Tuesday morning, November 14th, 2023, at approximately 11am.  Reports say the woman, said to be 74-years-old and a resident of Colorado, USA was on a vessel, the Blue Lagoon Island pleasure craft, which was carrying Bahamians and visitors.

A statement from Blue Lagoon Island informed that water unfortunately found its way into the boat, causing it to become partially submerged as seen in footage on social media including Facebook and TikTok.

This happened as the boat approached the popular attraction.

Emergency teams reportedly acted fast, arriving on the scene to help bring the passengers to safety. However, passengers have reported chaos on board with insufficient instruction coming from the crew, who were in a frenzy, said one woman who was on board the sinking ship.

Additionally, the Royal Bahamas Police Force alongside Blue Lagoon officials and other vessels aided in getting the passengers to safety.  There were said to be 140 passengers and five crew on the ferry.

Two were taken to the hospital.  Also, the occupants were all cruise ship guests and the US Embassy and the cruise ship have been notified.

Blue Lagoon Island in its statement said they are still gathering information and will continue to update as necessary.

Since the fatal accident, Blue Lagoon ferry services have been suspended as authorities investigate the tragedy.

Weather reports for The Bahamas had forecast rough surf and small vessels had been urged to stay in port.