Family Located and Rescued in Bahamas after Boat Grounds in Canadian family

A Canadian couple’s once-in-a-lifetime dream of traveling the world while working remotely on a sailboat turned into a life-threatening nightmare when their vessel hit a coral reef in the Bahamas.

Tony Bryant, Krista Scholl, and their eight-year-old daughter Adelaide were faced with a life-or-death situation as they clung to a life raft, battered by relentless waves, desperately seeking help.

The family’s idyllic adventure began after years of working in Toronto and painstakingly restoring their sailboat, Mischief, to make it seaworthy. Leaving the rat race behind, they embarked on their journey in 2023, sailing through various waterways while working remote jobs and chronicling their experiences on Instagram under the username @sailingfamilymischief. They aimed to provide an unforgettable experience for their daughter, introducing her to the wonders of the ocean.

Their plans took a perilous turn as they set out from Acklins Island in the Bahamas headed for Mayaguana Island. Strong winds pushed them off course, forcing them onto a reef near Plana Cays. Frantically trying to salvage their boat, which was rapidly taking on water, they eventually had to abandon ship and take refuge in a life raft.

Amidst the chaos, Bryant managed to make distress calls, unaware that a passing ship had relayed their position to the U.S. Coast Guard. Their relief was palpable when the Coast Guard’s helicopters appeared overhead, rescuing them just in time. A diver dropped from the helicopter to assist the family into a rescue basket, lifting them to safety.

Grateful for their miraculous rescue, the family is now staying with kind Bahamians who have offered them clothes and food. However, they face the daunting task of replacing lost documents, such as passports and birth certificates, crucial for their return to Canada.

To help cover their expenses in the Bahamas and aid in their journey back to Toronto, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign. As they weigh the possibility of returning to a liveaboard lifestyle, uncertain of what the future holds, the family reflects on their time on Mischief and the sense of community they cherished.

Despite the loss of their beloved boat and possessions, they remain resilient and hopeful about rebuilding their lives. While a return to life on the sea may be uncertain, they express optimism about the prospect of discovering another vessel to continue their adventures in the future.