A 75-year-old American tourist from Colorado died following the capsizing of a ferry boat on November 14, 2023, during an excursion from Paradise Island to Blue Lagoon Island in the Bahamas. 

The catamaran, carrying over 100 passengers and crew, began taking on water shortly after departing from Paradise Island.

Witnesses described large waves hitting the boat, causing it to fall to its side. 

Amidst the chaos, passengers, not instructed to wear life jackets at the outset, struggled for safety as the vessel sank. Video footage captured the harrowing scene, showing passengers in life vests clinging to the sinking ferry. 

The 75-year-old woman, whose name has not been disclosed, was found unresponsive during the rescue and could not be revived. She was declared dead upon reaching the dock. Two other passengers were hospitalized under unspecified conditions.

Passengers, some jumping into the water, reported a lack of guidance from the ferry staff. Kelly Schissel, an American tourist, shared her experience of the sinking boat on social media. She said that several crew members were crying and in hysterics, and unable to instruct passengers on what to do. Boats passing by the sinking ferry reportedly created large waves that exacerbated the peril for the passengers. In choppy water, many passengers had trouble keeping their heads above water.

The ferry, operated by Blue Lagoon Island, is a popular choice for cruise ship guests. In the aftermath of the incident, Royal Caribbean suspended all Blue Lagoon boat tours in Nassau, issuing full refunds for existing bookings. The company has canceled all tours to Blue Lagoon Island until at least November 23, 2023.