Unfortunately, not all that surprising, even as disappointing as it is. I've seen so many cases of large yachts tossed ashore or into rocks and been in dismay they didn't have anyone on watch. I see so many mistakes in this whole scenario and mostly mistakes of complacency and laziness.
I've been accused of being excessively conservative in such situations but a few things that just strike me. First, I would never raft as the megayachts did. Anchors aren't designed, however large, for multiple boats nor do they protect against the interaction of the boats. If someone pulls in closer to me than I'm comfortable, either they agree to separate further or I move.
Second, I know it's common to leave tenders in the water. Not only is it an open invitation to theft but it complicates all situations. On a boat like the Feadship and Broward for the crews to retrieve and relaunch the tenders is just not a big task. They might say they have their eyes on them, but clearly did not.
That brings to my major objection. The 128' Broward likely had a crew of 7 and the 150' Feadship likely 10 or 11. I don't understand with crews that size on boats that size, not having a crew member on watch. You're not just watching your boat but watching others. Seems the smaller boats alerted themselves to potential danger more quickly than the two megayachts.
The megayachts are used to anchoring in exposed conditions as they often have to anchor and tender in to shore or port. They are fully capable of anchoring and holding in conditions such as encountered. They simply underestimated the risks based on conditions during the day.
Then we get to the damages. I imagine foreign crews and foreign ownership. Easy to identify the owners, difficult to hold them accountable. Likely each boat owner having to file with their own insurer and entrust their insurer to go after the responsible parties. Did anyone report this to the Bahamian Coast Guard? I certainly would have hoped so and they would have come and taken charge. They have the authority to take control and prevent the boats from leaving until satisfied.
If not, the path is long and difficult and may require winning in a maritime court proceeding and then ultimately having the guilty boat arrested in a port somewhere.
For all those who say they're safe boaters and don't need insurance, this is a reminder that even if you are, the other guy may not be. I see the one boat as likely a total loss by the time you add it all up.
I wonder if the megayachts owners were aboard of if they were under charter. I know the Broward is largely a charter yacht with a crew of 7.