A young Australian woman lost her life in a tragic boating mishap in the waters of Kelingking Point, Nusa Penida, in Bali.
As reported in domestic and international media, the Sea Dragon 2 – a boat used for snorkeling expeditions from Nusa Penida, capsized after being struck by a large wave, claiming the life of 39-year-old Australian Anne Maree Blight and injuring two others. Blight is a 39-year-old Melbourne-based financial executive who celebrated her birthday just 2 days before the fatal boating accident.
The fatal incident occurred on Friday, 21 March 2021. At 8:30 am, the Sea Dragon 2, captained by Komang Juniarta Putra, departed from the Port of Sanur with 11 foreign tourists and a snorkeling guide bound for Manta Point off Nusa Penida.
Arriving at Manta Point, the small boat was struck by a large wave. Captain Putra and two crew efforts to keep the vessel afloat were unsuccessful when the boat’s engine failed after reportedly also striking a foreign object.
The Sea Dragon 2 eventually capsized as other snorkeling boats rushed to assist. Ten foreign tourists were rescued and evacuated to the safety of the nearby shore at Kelingking Beach.
The Australian tourist, Anna Marie Blight from Melbourne, was declared dead a short time after the accident at the Dr. Ngoerah Rai General Hospital in Denpasar.
Meanwhile, two other passengers, Cintamani Warrington (32), a Bali resident, and Gabriel Hijniakoff (29) from Brisbane suffered hip burns when they collided with the ship’s engine and were treated at the Griya Medika Clinic on Nusa Penida Island to be later transported by helicopter to Denpasar.
The other passengers on board the ill-fated ship were identified as Andreas Abel, Liisa Abel, Alexandra Abel, Eva Jongbloed, Daniela Faber, Holli, Josephine, and Lisa.
Police quickly responded to the accident scene and arranged for the overturned boat to be towed to Toyapaken Port by its sister ship, Sea Dragon I.
Anna Maree Blight reportedly died after being thrown overboard when a large wave hit the boat Sea Dragon 2 at about 8.30 am local time on Friday.
The boat was carrying 11 other Australian tourists when it overturned on its way to Nusa Penida, a tiny island about 15km east of Denpasar.
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