A 73-year-old female passenger from the cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam lost her life in a jet ski accident at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, on Saturday, March 22. The British-Czech national reportedly lost control of the watercraft, resulting in a collision with a rock. Despite prompt medical assistance from first responders, she was pronounced dead by a local doctor.
The Nieuw Amsterdam, operated by HAL-Holland America Line, had departed Fort Lauderdale (Florida USA) on March 16 with over 2,000 guests on board. The incident occurred during the ship's scheduled stop at the private island of Half Moon Cay. Holland America Line has expressed condolences and is providing support to the guest's family. The Bahamian authorities are currently investigating the accident.
As a result of the incident and the subsequent investigation, the Nieuw Amsterdam experienced delays in her return to Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale. Embarkation for the next scheduled cruise was postponed, with boarding commencing at 4:30 p.m. on March 23 and departure rescheduled for 8 p.m.
This tragic event underscores the inherent risks associated with personal watercraft activities and highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
For more Nieuw Amsterdam incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.