Reel Wild, one of several tenders and watertoys belonging to the yacht Loon, ran up on rocks in St. Barths last week. Although early media reports indicated one person sustained serious injuries, the crew of Loon states otherwise.
The accident occurred the night of December 21. Unnamed residents tell the newspaper Le Journal de Saint-Barth that they heard a loud sound similar to cars crashing. While they didn’t witness the incident, they discovered the boat fully out of the water at the tip of Anse de Cayes, a popular beach area. Photos of the scene reveal Reel Wild resting on rocks, with gashes along her hull. The newspaper additionally reports that about 20 firefighters and three ambulances responded to the scene, as did police. Of a reported 11 people aboard the tender, six went to the hospital. Furthermore, the paper states, one of the six was to fly to a Miami hospital the following day. She allegedly sustained serious facial injuries from being ejected from the boat.
As of press time, neither the local police nor other officials have released information about the situation. Notably, too, the newspaper didn’t name the tender or the yacht to which she belongs. It only stated that the yacht was at anchor in Gustavia. However, social media users quickly identified both, particularly noting the unusual size and engine package of the tender. Reel Wild is a center console from HCB Yachts, measuring 52’11” (16 meters) and with four outboards. She appears regularly in Loon’s photos and videos on social media as well.
On December 26, the crew of the 221-foot (68-meter) Loon confirmed the incident on its Patreon page. “We want to address the recent accident involving our tender, Reel Wild. Thankfully, everyone is okay, and we want to reassure you that the situation isn’t as severe as some media outlets may have portrayed. Due to an ongoing investigation, we are limited in what we can share right now. However, we will provide a full update as soon as we’re able. Your messages of support mean the world to us, and we deeply appreciate your understanding during this time. We’re looking forward to continuing our adventures with you all very soon. Sincerely, The Loon Crew.”
Due to the investigation, the tender remains where it landed. Officials have determined she poses no risk of polluting the area.
Craig
Sounds like loony tunes