On Sunday, 24 July 2022 at 1:17 am, RBDF Operations Command Center received information from Police Control Room of a distress call concerning a capsized vessel with an unknown number of persons in the water. Upon receipt of information vessels deployed from Coral Harbour Base and RBDF Harbour Patrol Unit responded. At 1:24am, one of the RBDF vessels located the partially submerged vessel at about five nautical miles from entrance to Nassau Harbour. RBDF vessels along with members of the Royal Bahamas Police Marine Unit responded to the scene to retrieve persons out of the water, additional units were sent to the area to assist with the search. Twenty males and five females were rescued from the scene, given medical assistance and were handed over to Immigration Officials.An RBDF Dive Team was deployed resulting in the recovery additional bodies that were trapped in the partially submerged vessel with inscription “Bare Ambition” on it. Seventeen deceased bodies were handed over to the coroners. The Drone Team was deployed 11am – 12:15pm and found no additional bodies or debris. Additionally, a USCG C130 Aircraft conducted search of the area from 7:30 – 9:30am with negative sightings of additional bodies or debris from the submerged vessel. Two Bahamian males were handed over to Police Officials for further investigation. Further investigations into the incident are continuing.The Royal Bahamas Defence Force wishes to advise the public to refrain from engaging in treacherous voyages that risk human lives and threaten our National Security. The RBDF remains committed to the mission and mandate of Guarding Our Heritage.
