Msira Investigating Nighttime Boat Crash Near Clark
The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) has opened an inquiry after a 15-foot Boston Whaler struck Clark Rock in North Sound near Gun Creek at about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, 18 October 2025, injuring both people aboard, one seriously. Officials from MSIRA and Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) responded quickly; MSIRA said the probe will look for safety lessons and will not assign blame, a point reiterated in an independent report by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
The Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority (MSIRA) has launched an investigation following a nighttime boating accident in the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda near Gun Creek. MSIRA reports the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, 18 October 2025, when a 15-foot Boston Whaler reportedly struck Clark Rock while heading to Gun Creek.
Both occupants of the small vessel were injured in the collision. MSIRA confirmed that one person suffered serious injuries after being impaled by an anchor during the impact, while the other sustained less severe injuries. Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) personnel responded swiftly, recovered the occupants from the water, and arranged their prompt medical evacuation, according to MSIRA and corroborated by a VINO report.
Clark Rock is a partially submerged formation in North Sound that presents a known navigational hazard. Though charted, the rock sits in shallow water and can be difficult to see at night or at high tide, making it particularly dangerous for small boats and for operators unfamiliar with local waterways.
North Sound and the approach to Gun Creek are popular with residents and visitors alike, increasing the need for careful navigation. Chief Marine Accident and Safety Investigator Jerome Padmore, speaking on behalf of MSIRA, stressed the need for increased caution when operating vessels after dark. “It's important to acknowledge the significance of safe navigation and the need for increased caution when operating vessels at night, particularly in areas with hazards or limited visibility,” he said, advising mariners to keep a proper lookout and use updated navigational charts.
VINO’s coverage of the accident echoed Padmore’s comments and noted that MSIRA will continue to provide reminders to mariners. MSIRA — which operates under the Premier's Office — said its independent, fact-based inquiry will be guided by the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations, 2020 and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code.
The authority emphasised that the investigation’s purpose is to identify safety lessons and prevent future accidents rather than to assign blame or liability; VINO’s report reiterated this point and said MSIRA will provide updates as the inquiry progresses. A shortened report on this accident will be published by MSIRA when available.
The Authority also reminded vessel operators that marine accidents must be reported as required by law. For BVI residents and tourism operators who regularly transit North Sound, the incident is a timely reminder to review night navigation practices: ensure proper lighting and lookouts, consult up-to-date charts, respect local knowledge, and slow down in known hazard areas to reduce the risk of similar accidents.
Primary source: BVI Government