Photo: Jesse James Smith, tour guide/boat captain

by Charles Gladden

SAN PEDRO TOWN, Ambergris Caye, Wed. Feb. 15, 2023

A boat accident in waters near San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, on Tuesday, February 14, resulted in the death of a 17-year-old tourist, Logan Ceylon Pratt, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma. On that same day, police detained Belizean tour guide/boat captain, Jesse James Smith, 30, a resident of San Pedro Town, in connection with the accident.

According to reports, at around 2:15 p.m. that day, Pratt was swimming in the waters near the Matachica beach with her mother, Tamra Lee Pratt, 56.

At the same time, Smith was returning from a tour at Mexico Rocks located about 8 miles north of San Pedro Town in a 25-foot fiberglass skiff. While passing the area in which the two women had been swimming, he unexpectedly heard a thumping sound as if the boat had hit a log, which was followed by the screams of a female in the water. After turning the boat around, Smith saw Logan Pratt’s body floating in the water with severe cut wounds and abrasions to her body.

She was then transported to the Ambergris Hope Clinic (along with her mother, who received minor injuries) and was pronounced dead at 3:00 p.m. that day. Smith was thereafter detained by police and a urine sample was obtained from him.

The boat Smith was using at the time of the incident belonged to Belize Pro Dive Center Limited and was licensed and insured.

The following day, while Smith was still in police custody, a peaceful protest coordinated by friends and relatives of Smith, who were insisting that he should not be charged, was carried out in front of the San Pedro Police Station. However, the group of protesters disbanded without a fuss when police asked them to leave the area.

It is being reported that, according to some experts, the two women should have been swimming with a flag, since the area is known to be highly trafficked by many boats.

Logan Pratt and her mother had arrived in the country for vacation on Sunday, two days before her tragic death, and were staying at the Grand Baymen Resort south of downtown San Pedro Town—about five miles from the area in which they had been swimming when the accident occurred.

It is not yet clear whether charges will be brought against Smith, as the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

(AMANDALA Sports Ed. Note: It was a most unfortunate and tragic incident, and our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased young lady. The tour guide involved, Jesse Smith, is a star midfielder on the San Pedro Pirates FC football team which currently leads the PLB Closing Season competition and hosts fellow undefeated squad, Port Layola FC from Belize City this Saturday night in San Pedro. Whether or not he can play on Saturday, it is a heavy burden for brother Jesse to carry. A minute of silence before the game would be appropriate.)