Yacht Captain Lesley Joubert Acquitted in Fatal
A High Court jury on June 11 unanimously found South African yacht captain Lesley Joubert not guilty of manslaughter, reckless and negligent act, and failing to render assistance in connection with a November 22, 2024 nighttime collision in the channel between Saba Rock and Bitter End Yacht Club that killed charter captain Stephen Cross Jr. The verdict closes the criminal case but has renewed debate across the Virgin Islands maritime community about night navigation, vessel lighting and safe speeds in busy charter waters.
A High Court jury on Thursday, June 11 found South African yacht captain Lesley Joubert not guilty on all charges arising from the fatal nighttime collision in the channel between Saba Rock and Bitter End Yacht Club that claimed the life of charter captain Stephen Cross Jr on November 22, 2024, according to BVI News and Guavaberry.
After more than three hours of deliberation, jurors returned unanimous acquittals on counts of manslaughter, committing a reckless and negligent act, and failing to render assistance. Justice Akilah Anderson formally discharged Joubert and told him he was free to go, BVI News reported.
The collision occurred in the busy North Sound channel when Cross was operating a dinghy carrying six passengers en route to a dinner and was struck by a larger rigid inflatable boat (RIB) crewed by Joubert, who was serving aboard the superyacht Eau La La. Cross later died from injuries sustained in the impact.
Guavaberry and BVI News both noted the loss sent shockwaves through the local maritime community. Prosecutors told the court Joubert was travelling at an unsafe speed — about 15 knots — as he rushed to collect guests from Necker Island, preventing him from maintaining a proper lookout.
BVI News reported the Crown called marine surveyor William Bailey to testify that such a speed at night was unsafe and that slower speeds could have reduced the severity of injuries. The defence, led by attorney Stephen Daniels of Capital Law, countered that poor visibility and lighting were the decisive factors.
Daniels repeatedly told jurors "sight by night is by light," arguing Joubert could not reasonably be expected to see an unlit or improperly lit dinghy crossing the channel on a dark, moonless night. Defence experts also suggested the dinghy may have entered the tender’s path and that inadequate lighting made avoidance impossible, per BVI News and Guavaberry.
Guavaberry reported additional trial context: evidence indicated Cross’s dinghy was displaying a light, but questions remained whether the arrangement fully complied with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). The outlet also noted debate about the tender’s own lighting configuration and highlighted that Joubert served in a safety role aboard Eau La La, a point some observers said raised expectations of heightened duty of care.
Although the criminal case has ended, both news outlets say the verdict has not quelled wider industry discussion. Maritime professionals quoted in coverage pointed to COLREG Rule 6, which requires vessels to proceed at a safe speed, and argued that lower speed could have given more time to detect and avoid the dinghy or reduced the force of the collision.
Others emphasized that the jury was required to find criminal guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Following the verdict, defence counsel expressed sympathy to Cross’s family while supporters of Joubert welcomed the acquittal as confirmation the prosecution had not met the high legal threshold.
Local operators, regulators and mariners are likely to continue reviewing night-time tender practices, navigation-lighting compliance, crew training and enforcement to try to prevent similar tragedies in the territory’s busy charter waters.
Primary source: BVI News