Two men die in fishing-boat accident

HAMILTON (CMC):

Two brothers died yesterday after their fishing boat struck reefs off the coast of St David's at the island's east end, police said.

Police did not name the brothers, but family members confirmed the men as Michael Williams and Clifton (Kiki) Williams. Their ages were not disclosed.

The brothers were described as experienced seamen who were on a fishing trip when the accident occurred.

Maritime sources said it was believed they were attempting to negotiate a narrow path in the reefs when they ran aground on the breakers near St David's Battery.

The Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre said it received a call at around midnight (local time) from the 27-foot wooden fishing boat Tern with two people aboard reporting that the vessel had struck a reef off St David's Head and was taking on water.

Bermuda Radio instructed the crew to put on life jackets while sending the pilot boat St David's and Marine Police boat Heron II to go to the scene. Other vessel responded to the call for assistance.

However, when the pilot boat arrived on the scene of the accident, they found the brothers' bodies floating in the water, police said.