On the morning of **November 14, 2023**, a ferry operating as a shore‑excursion tender from Nassau to the idyllic **Blue Lagoon Island** encountered a devastating mishap. Carrying over **100 cruise passengers**, the two‑deck vessel was navigating rough seas when it began to take on water. The boat ultimately **partially sank** in the shallow waters just outside Blue Lagoon Island, with its upper deck still visible above the turquoise surface.([Cruise Hive][1], [thenassauguardian.com][2], [Maritime Executive][3])
Chaos ensued on board as water poured in and panic spread. According to firsthand footage captured by passenger **Kelly Schissel**, people were scrambling for life jackets and crowding to one side. A crew member was filmed in distress—”crying, freaking out, absolutely bawling, grabbing a life jacket”—only intensifying the alarm. Clear instructions were noticeably absent.([Business Insider][4], [Maritime Executive][3])
Amid the confusion, several passengers jumped into the water wearing life jackets and swam toward nearby vessels. **Rescue teams**, including local fishermen, Royal Bahamas Defense Force units, and Blue Lagoon staff, arrived quickly on the scene and retrieved survivors. Two passengers required additional medical attention and were taken to hospital; tragically, a **75‑year‑old** woman from Colorado lost her life. Though the exact cause has not been publicly confirmed, authorities indicated the death occurred as a result of the incident.([Royal Caribbean Blog][5], [thenassauguardian.com][2], [Cruise Hive][6], [Maritime Executive][3])
In the days that followed, authorities suspended ferry operations to Blue Lagoon Island and launched a “rigorous, independent forensic investigation” involving the Bahamas Maritime Authority, Port Authority, and police. All vessels in the operator’s fleet were grounded pending safety reviews.([thenassauguardian.com][7], [Magnetic Media][8])
Users on **Reddit** reacted with dismay and fear. One survivor recalled:
> “I agree to an extent but not everyone is physically capable of jumping into the water. Unfortunately a passenger on this boat did die…”
> Another observed:
> “…we were kind of waiting for the staff to tell us what to do, which they never did because they were too busy crying and freaking out.”([Reddit][9])
After undergoing comprehensive policy reviews, staff retraining, and vessel inspections, **Blue Lagoon Island partially reopened in early 2024**. The reopening came with assurances that safety measures had been significantly enhanced—a necessary step to reassure both cruise lines and vacationers.([Cruise Hive][1], [Royal Caribbean Blog][10], [Amazing World Cruises][11])
—
**Summary:** A ferry bound for Blue Lagoon Island sank in November 2023 amid rough conditions, leading to one fatality and prompting a thorough investigation. Survivor accounts highlight the chaos and lack of crew guidance. After safety overhauls, the excursion destination reopened in early 2024 under heightened safety protocols.
[1]: https://www.cruisehive.com/popular-bahamas-cruise-excursion-destination-reopens/121505?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Popular Bahamas Cruise Excursion Destination Reopens”
[2]: https://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/american-woman-dead-after-blue-lagoon-boat-sinks/article_59116b22-83bc-11ee-bd1a-376631d6983b.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “American woman dead after Blue Lagoon boat sinks | News | thenassauguardian.com”
[3]: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/cruise-passenger-dies-in-sinking-of-bahamas-excursion-boat?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Cruise Passenger Dies in Sinking of Bahamas Excursion Boat”
[4]: https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-video-shows-panic-stricken-moments-bahamas-tourist-ferry-sinking-2023-11?utm_source=chatgpt.com “TikTok Video Shows Panicked Moments of Bahamas Tourist Ferry Sinking – Business Insider”
[5]: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/11/17/royal-caribbean-cancels-excursions-blue-lagoon-island-following-deadly-incident?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Royal Caribbean cancels excursions to Blue Lagoon Island following deadly incident | Royal Caribbean Blog”
[6]: https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-guest-dies-after-tour-boat-sinks-in-the-bahamas/115808?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Cruise Guest Dies After Tour Boat Sinks in the Bahamas”
[7]: https://www.thenassauguardian.com/news/blue-lagoon-launches-rigorous-probe-after-boat-s-sinking/article_af09e0da-87a0-11ee-9977-671f96c31ea2.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Blue Lagoon launches ‘rigorous’ probe after boat’s sinking | News | thenassauguardian.com”
[8]: https://magneticmediatv.com/2023/11/blue-lagoon-services-suspended-after-american-woman-dies-when-ferry-sinks-off-nassau-bahamas/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Blue Lagoon services suspended after American woman dies when Ferry sinks off Nassau, Bahamas – Magnetic Media”
[9]: https://www.reddit.com/r/royalcaribbean/comments/17vn7is?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Excursion boat sinks while transporting people to blue lagoon island in Nassau”
[10]: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024/12/30/blue-lagoon-bahamas-shore-excursion-review?utm_source=chatgpt.com “I tried the shore excursion that got shut down. The beach was great, but the tour was too expensive | Royal Caribbean Blog”
[11]: https://amazingworldcruises.com/popular-bahamas-cruise-excursion-destination-reopens/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Popular Bahamas Cruise Excursion Destinat
ion Reopens – Amazing World Cruises”
About the Author
