ROAD TOWN, Tortola, Virgin Islands — South African yacht captain Lesley Joubert has been acquitted of all charges stemming from the fatal boating collision in Virgin Gorda’s North Sound that claimed the life of veteran charter captain Stephen Cross Jr. in November 2024.
The unanimous verdict was delivered by a High Court jury following more than three hours of deliberations. Joubert was found not guilty of manslaughter, committing a reckless and negligent act, and failing to render assistance after the collision that left the Virgin Islands maritime community mourning the loss of one of its most respected captains.
The case centered on a nighttime collision that occurred on November 22, 2024, in the busy channel between Saba Rock and Bitter End Yacht Club in North Sound, Virgin Gorda. Cross was operating a dinghy carrying six passengers to dinner when it collided with a larger rigid inflatable tender operated by Joubert, who was serving aboard the luxury yacht Eau La La. Cross later died from injuries sustained in the collision.
A Respected Captain Remembered
Throughout the trial, the memory of Stephen Cross Jr. remained ever present. Known throughout the Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands charter industry, Cross had built a reputation as a skilled mariner, trusted captain, and dedicated professional. Friends and colleagues frequently described him as an experienced seaman who knew the waters of the Virgin Islands intimately and was passionate about the safety and enjoyment of his guests.
His death sent shockwaves through the regional boating community, prompting an outpouring of condolences and renewed calls for improvements to marine safety practices in local waters.
The Crown’s Case
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Joubert was operating the tender at an unsafe speed given the nighttime conditions and traffic in the North Sound area. The Crown contended that excessive speed significantly contributed to the collision and the fatal injuries that followed.
Marine experts called by the prosecution reportedly testified that lower speeds would have allowed more time for detection and avoidance and could have reduced the severity of the impact.
The Defense Argument
The defense maintained that visibility was the central issue in the case. Attorneys argued that Cross’s dinghy was not displaying navigation lighting fully compliant with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), making it difficult for Joubert to identify the vessel in sufficient time to avoid the collision.
Defense counsel further argued that the evidence did not establish criminal negligence beyond a reasonable doubt and that the collision, while tragic, did not meet the threshold required for a criminal conviction.
After hearing weeks of evidence and testimony, the jury ultimately agreed, returning not guilty verdicts on all counts.
Debate Continues Over Speed and Accountability
Although the criminal case has concluded, debate surrounding the collision continues within maritime circles.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Cross’s dinghy was displaying a light, although questions remained regarding whether the lighting arrangement fully complied with COLREG requirements. At the same time, concerns were also raised about the lighting configuration of the tender operated by Joubert.
For many mariners, however, the more significant issue remains speed.
Under COLREG Rule 6, vessel operators are required to proceed at a safe speed at all times so that proper and effective action can be taken to avoid collisions and vessels can be stopped within an appropriate distance given existing conditions.
Maritime professionals following the case have questioned whether sufficient emphasis was placed on the role speed may have played in the tragedy. They argue that if the tender had been operating at a slower speed, both vessels may have had additional time to identify one another and take evasive action. At minimum, they contend, the force of the collision and resulting injuries may have been significantly reduced.
The issue has also sparked discussion regarding professional responsibility. Joubert was a licensed captain and served as First Safety Officer aboard Eau La La, a role carrying responsibility for the safety of passengers, crew, and vessel operations. Some observers believe those credentials imposed a heightened duty of care and have expressed disappointment that no criminal accountability resulted from the case.
Others point to the jury’s verdict as evidence that the prosecution simply failed to meet the high burden of proof required in criminal proceedings. They maintain that while mistakes may have occurred, criminal liability was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Broader Questions for the Maritime Industry
The case has reignited wider discussions about boating safety throughout the Virgin Islands, where thousands of vessels operate annually in some of the Caribbean’s busiest charter waters.
Industry stakeholders have pointed to several issues highlighted by the trial, including compliance with navigation-lighting requirements, vessel speed in congested waterways, nighttime navigation practices, crew training, and emergency response procedures following marine accidents.
Some have suggested that the tragedy underscores the need for increased education and enforcement regarding COLREG standards, particularly among charter operators and visiting vessels unfamiliar with local conditions.
Reactions Following the Verdict
While the court’s decision brings an end to the criminal proceedings, it is unlikely to bring closure to all those affected by the tragedy.
Supporters of Joubert welcomed the verdict as confirmation that the evidence did not support a criminal conviction. Meanwhile, many friends, family members, and colleagues of Stephen Cross Jr. continue to mourn his loss and grapple with unanswered questions surrounding the collision.
The case has left a lasting impact on the Virgin Islands maritime community, where many see it as a stark reminder that even experienced mariners can find themselves involved in catastrophic accidents.
Looking Ahead
Justice Akilah Anderson discharged Joubert following the verdict, formally bringing the criminal case to a close.
Yet the broader conversation continues.
For some, the acquittal represents the proper application of the law and the principle that guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. For others, the tragedy highlights perceived gaps in maritime accountability and raises difficult questions about how safety standards are enforced on the water.
As the Virgin Islands reflects on one of the most closely watched maritime cases in recent memory, the legacy of Stephen Cross Jr. and the lessons arising from his death are likely to remain part of the territory’s ongoing conversation about boating safety for years to come.