The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A 45-year-old Bahamian boat captain died after being thrown from a vessel that ran aground near Rolle Cay late Thursday, a tragedy that has left his family mourning a man they described as a steady source of support.

Police said Denardo Smith was aboard a 20-foot vessel carrying two United States citizens and one Bahamian shortly before 11.50pm on March 19 when it ran aground along a rocky shoreline near Rolle Cay. During the incident, the Bahamian captain was reportedly ejected from the vessel and found unresponsive in the water.

Officers responded to the scene and took the injured man to the George Town Dock. He was examined by a local physician and then transferred to the Exuma Healthcare Facility for further treatment. He was pronounced dead at 2.23pm.

The two US citizens aboard the vessel were also examined by a local doctor and were found to have minor, non-life-threatening injuries.

Relatives said Mr Smith had lived in Exuma for years after moving there to live with his grandaunt.

“He migrated to Exuma in his early 20s to live with my mom who is his grandaunt and he made a life here,” his cousin, Pam Dames, said. “He never moved back to Nassau so he was like a younger brother to us.”

Ms Dames said Mr Smith worked with expatriates who lived on a cay and was responsible for transporting them to and from the mainland.

She said his death has hit the family hard.

“We are greatly saddened by the loss of our cousin and uncle and nephew whose unwavering support was a staple on this island,” she said. “He was there for any family member at any time.”

Ms Dames said Mr Smith was married and had four sons, all of whom are grieving deeply.

“He was a huge supporter,” she said. “He took care of his kids and he was a true father figure for them. He watched over them, saw to their needs, accompanied them. He was a wonderful father.”

She said the loss would be especially hard on his children and wife.

“There’s no way to measure that or pinpoint how much that will affect them but to suffice it to say that void cannot be replaced and it will take years for all of them to recover,” she said.

Police said Smith’s body will be transported to New Providence for formal identification and a post-mortem examination.