ROAD TOWN, BVI: A 17-month-old boy, Nahel Wies, drowned after a vessel sank near Round Rock in the British Virgin Islands.
Police say on Saturday March 17 at 7:56 am, they received information that a vessel sank at Round Rock.
Investigations revealed that 36-year-old Philippe Wies, his wife 25-year-old Celine and their three children, 6-year-old Hugo, 4-year-old Mathias, and 17-month-old Nahel (all French Nationals) set sail from France in May 2006.
Police say apparently the family spent one week in French St Martin before sailing towards the BVI at 9:00 am Friday, March 16 2007 aboard their 47 feet sailboat named, "LOUSTIC".
Police say about midnight, while approaching the BVI Territorial waters, the area was very dark, which impaired Philippe’s vision. However, he noticed that he was very close to what he later learnt was Round Rock.
As a result, the boat's keel ran aground. It then began to sway from side to side, causing him to lose control of the boat. A large opening at the back of the right side of the boat, caused water to enter the vessel.
Wies managed to blow up the round safety inflatable lifeboat; while his wife held onto the children. A large wave then swept across the yacht and took the youngest child out of his mother’s arms into the sea.
The family stayed there for several hours trying to survive. They managed to hold unto the boat mast for the entire time, until a passing cruise ship, "SEABURN LEGEND II" picked them up and, with the assistance of VISAR and other units, they were taken to Virgin Gorda for medical assistance.
The body of Nahel Wies was later found floating in the water in the area of Round Rock. | 
