Bermuda Police Service has confirmed a powerboat pilot died on Sunday, June 28, after crashing into a moored vessel during a Bermuda Power Boat Association race in Hamilton Harbour.
The incident happened near the Lower Ferry site in Paget at approximately 3.45pm, when the pilot lost control of his boat and struck a stationary, unoccupied vessel at its mooring. Police said the pilot sustained a life threatening head injury and was treated at the scene by emergency medical technicians before being pronounced dead by an on call doctor.
The co-pilot suffered a head wound and was treated and later released from hospital.
The race coincided with the eighth annual Scooter Mart Motor Fest on Front Street in Hamilton, with traffic diverted on Harbour Road while emergency crews responded from landside.
Bermuda Police Service declined to offer further comment when contacted directly, and has asked anyone with information about the crash, or who witnessed the incident, to call 295-0011.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the BPBA said it was acting with “extreme heavy hearts” and thanked St John Ambulance, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, attending doctors and the Bermuda Police Service for their assistance. The organisation confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that no further details can be released at this time.
The BPBA’s next scheduled race, due to take place on July 5th, has been postponed until further notice.
Neither the police nor the BPBA have released the names of those involved.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
