One evening on Dec. 21, 2024, Reel Wild, the tender of M/Y Loon, encountered a mishap by running onto rocks in St. Barths. M/Y Loon is a 68-meter superyacht known for its popular YouTube channel with over 200,000 subscribers, where the crew shares videos showcasing life onboard the luxurious vessel.

The local newspaper in St. Barths, Le Journal de Saint-Barth, was the first to report on the incident. According to their report, eleven individuals were on board Reel Wild during the crash, with six of them being taken to Irénée de Bruyn hospital. One occupant suffered serious facial injuries and was airlifted to Miami for further medical treatment.

In a report published on Jan. 9, Le Journal de Saint-Barth confirmed that all 11 occupants were crew members, and the individual ejected from the vessel was a young woman. An investigation by the Maritime Affairs of French Guiana is currently ongoing, with onboard instruments being seized to determine the person at the helm during the incident. Crew members declined toxicology tests at the hospital based on advice from legal representatives.

Following the incident, Loon addressed the situation on their Patreon page, reassuring their community that everyone was safe. They mentioned limitations on sharing details due to the ongoing investigation and expressed gratitude for the support received. Several crew members of Loon shared their perspectives on social media, with some differing from the official statement on Patreon.

Chef Dean Harrison announced his resignation from Loon on Instagram, hinting at a possible connection to the accident. When contacted by Triton, Harrison declined to comment further, citing the active investigation as the reason.

Triton attempted to reach out to key individuals and organizations related to Loon, including Captain Paul Clark and companies involved in the yacht's management and marketing. However, responses were not received or comments were declined due to the sensitivity of the situation.

Captain Jake DesVergers, serving as chief surveyor for the International Yacht Bureau (IYB), shared insights on the standard procedures following such incidents in the yachting industry. DesVergers emphasized the importance of proper communication, legal compliance, and adherence to safety protocols in managing similar situations.

DesVergers highlighted the necessity for thorough investigations involving insurance, legal teams, and flag-state authorities to identify operational issues and implement preventive measures for future safety. He stressed the collective responsibility of the yachting industry to address any shortcomings in safety protocols.

Images by Le Journal de Saint-Barth.