Questions continue to surround last month’s St. Barths M/Y Loon tender crash. While speculation has been rife, little official information has been released by authorities. According to local media reports, the investigation, which is being headed up by the office of the prosecutor in French Guyana, remains ongoing.
The accident happened several days before Christmas when the chase boat Reel Time crashed onto rocks in Saint Barthélemy. One of the 11 passengers on board was airlifted to a hospital in Miami with what has been described as serious but non life-threatening injuries. Several others were treated locally.
The prosecutor’s office told local media everybody on board was allowed to leave and nobody has since been detained. According to local reports, the tender remains on the rocks and there's no noted risk of pollution. Loon is currently in Safe Harbor Rybovich in West Palm Beach.
Since the incident, several crewmembers have announced on social media that they have quit while the charter yacht’s once robust social media profile has gone silent. One statement posted on the vessel’s Patreon page has been criticized online, including from crew stating it does not speak for them.
The since-removed Patreon statement said, “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.”
Before the incident, Loon was a vessel known for an active, personality-led social media presence. In a 2022 story, Boat International called her “the world’s most Instagrammed yacht” and noted how it accepted Bitcoin in its first Med charter season.