NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (July 01, 2026)- Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley, is urging the public to refrain from speculating about the cause of Monday’s ferry incident and instead allow the official investigation to determine what happened.
Speaking at his monthly press conference on June 30, the Premier emphasized the importance of avoiding unfounded conclusions while maritime authorities carry out their investigation.
“There are some out there who are already engaging in wild speculations. I really urge you not to. Accidents will happen. It is just the nature of life. While we do our very best to prevent them, when they do happen, we must check on what our responses are like and how effectively we have dealt with those accidents because, as sure as night follows day, we will have mishaps and accidents. They happen in the first world, they happen in the second world, they happen in the third world, and they will happen in the fourth world.
“I know that an investigation will now occur, and I’m hopeful that the findings of that investigation will make our inter-island ferry service even stronger, even safer. Allow the maritime officials to do the investigation and let us all collectively be grateful that there has been no loss of life. I think that that is very important and let us continue to remember the survivors and the ferry owners and operators in our prayers.”
On Monday morning, one of the inter-island ferries in the Apple Syder fleet began submerging shortly after departing Basseterre en route to Nevis with 47 passengers and crew on board. The prompt response of nearby vessels, including a regional ferry, local fishermen, and the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard ensured that everyone was rescued safely. One individual reportedly spent some time in the hospital in St. Kitts after experiencing a panic attack.
The Premier expressed gratitude for the swift rescue effort and reflected on the relief felt across the Federation as news emerged that there had been no fatalities.
“We all, I think, were on tenterhooks when we had word that we had an accident at sea involving one of our inter-island ferries. I want to thank the first responders. I’m told the Makana ferry was leaving Basseterre Harbour and that it responded quickly. I’m told some fishermen in the area responded, and I’m also told that the Coast Guard responded. I want to thank them all.
“Most of all, I want to thank Jehovah God for His grace. I’m told the crew behaved professionally and that everyone is safe. Of course, our thoughts and prayers go out to them.”
Premier Brantley also acknowledged the emotional and financial impact on the ferry operators.
“Let me also express concern for the operators, the local business people. I don’t want us to forget them because they too would be going through quite a lot, having lost their vessel and having, of course, very narrowly averted this potential tragedy.”
He noted that the incident immediately reminded many people in both Nevis and St. Kitts of the tragic sinking of the MV Christena in August 1970, when the vessel went down during the same crossing, claiming 233 lives.
Despite the recent incident, however, he stressed that inter-island ferry travel continues to have a strong safety record.
“There is, in my respectful opinion, no need to be concerned about the safety of inter-island ferry operations and inter-island travel because, even though again some will be quick to make certain statements, I assure you that this is the first incident of its type that we’ve had in the past over 50 years of inter-island travel.
“I think that that speaks well in terms of the level of safety and security that we’ve had and the level of seaworthiness that we’ve had of the various vessels that have transited.”
Following the incident, the Nevis Island Administration’s Behavioural Health and Wellness Centre is offering counselling and support services to passengers, crew members, family members, and others affected by the ordeal.
