A disturbing image has emerged following the incident involving Cameron Robbins, who jumped off the Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise into the waters off Athol Island on May 24.
According to Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) Commodore Raymond King, these waters are known to be “really shark-infested,” as he shared with the Daily Mail on Tuesday.
A chaotic video captured moments after the jump reveals onlookers desperately urging Robbins to grab a buoy and swim towards safety.
However, the Baton Rouge native seemingly disregarded their pleas and swam in the opposite direction.
This led social media sleuths to speculate that a silvery reflection near the hull of the boat might have been a shark that frightened him away.
One Twitter user shared a screenshot of Robbins and the shadow in close proximity, stating, “Haunting, but you can see the exact moment the shark gets him.”
They described the situation as tragic and terrifying. Another viewer noted that Robbins seemed to abandon the life ring upon noticing the nearby shape, saying, “He initially goes for the buoy but then turns around when he sees the shark, ultimately disappearing into the water, likely dragged down. Very sad.”
The Blackbeard’s Revenge, designed to resemble a pirate ship, remained in the vicinity for several hours as the crew made efforts to locate Robbins.
However, the Coast Guard eventually called off their search after two days, covering an area of approximately 325 square miles.
The incident occurred just three days after Robbins’ graduation from University Laboratory School, where he was described by Director Kevin George as a “great kid” and a talented athlete with a radiant smile and impressive hair.
Reflecting on the tragedy, George expressed pride in Robbins’ achievements, stating, “He’s an athlete… great smile, great head of hair. Just one of the kids you’re so proud of when they cross the stage.” The incident has left a profound impact on Robbins’ family, friends, and the community, serving as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can lurk beneath the surface in the ocean.
