SHOCKING Delay in Yacht Disappearance Stuns Investigators

A mysterious disappearance raises serious concerns about maritime safety and oversight.

Story Highlights

Sarm Heslop vanished from a luxury yacht under suspicious circumstances.
Key delays and obstructions in reporting to authorities have drawn criticism.
Witness accounts conflict, adding layers of mystery to the case.
The BBC has launched a new investigation into her disappearance.

Disappearance Raises Questions

Sarm Heslop, a British stewardess, disappeared from the Siren Song, a 47-foot luxury catamaran, in March 2021. Moored off Saint John in the US Virgin Islands, the yacht became the center of media attention after Heslop’s mysterious disappearance.

Her partner, Ryan Bane, delayed notifying the Coast Guard for nine hours, raising suspicions. The case has been compounded by Bane’s refusal to allow authorities to search the yacht, drawing significant public and investigative interest.

The timeline of events leading to Heslop’s disappearance includes her last known sighting the evening of March 7, 2021, after dining with Bane. Bane claimed that Heslop was asleep upon their return to the yacht. However, by 2:30 a.m., she was missing. The delay in notifying the Coast Guard and Bane’s subsequent obstruction during investigations have fueled concerns about potential foul play, as no distress signals were reported by nearby vessels.

Conflicting Witness Accounts

Witnesses provide conflicting testimonies, complicating the investigation. A local dog walker reported hearing screams from the direction of the yacht around the time of Heslop’s disappearance, contradicting other accounts of silence. Another skipper, moored nearby, claimed to hear no shouts or calls for help. These discrepancies have led to questions about what truly transpired aboard the Siren Song that night.

Additional skepticism arises from the personal items Heslop left behind, including her phone, wallet, and passport, suggesting she did not intend to leave voluntarily. The ongoing investigation, now joined by the BBC, seeks to clarify these inconsistencies and uncover what really happened.

Renewed Investigation by the BBC

The BBC’s recent decision to launch a new investigation into Heslop’s disappearance indicates the case remains unresolved and intriguing. This renewed effort suggests that there may be more to uncover, with potential new evidence or angles yet to be explored.

The continued interest by major media outlets highlights the unresolved nature of the case and its implications for maritime safety and oversight.

As the investigation progresses, the maritime industry faces increased scrutiny regarding crew safety protocols and employer accountability. The case underscores gaps in safety regulations for private yachts and raises questions about crew member vetting and safety protocols aboard such vessels.