A nautical accident caused a stir this Saturday in Miami when an out-of-control yacht collided with a docked boat at a residential pier, was sent flying through the air, and ended up overturned in the water.
The dramatic incident was captured on video and shared on social media by the Instagram account Only in Dade.
The images show how the vessel, moving at high speed, loses control in a channel in North Miami Beach, violently collides with a parked boat, and, after the impact, partially lifts into the air before capsizing.
The occupants of the yacht were thrown into the water due to the force of the collision. According to witnesses, nearby residents reacted quickly, jumping into the water on jet skis and swimming to rescue the accident victims, including two minors.
According to preliminary reports cited by NBC Miami, one person was taken to a hospital, but no fatalities were recorded. Those present indicated that although the apparent lack of action from some witnesses was initially criticized, in reality, several neighbors mobilized immediately after the accident.
Comments on social media suggest several possible causes, including a mechanical failure of the accelerator or a malfunction in the control of the vessel, while others speculate about potential driving under the influence of alcohol, although there is no official confirmation.
The accident has rekindled the debate over the need for stricter boating licenses and strengthening education on nautical safety.
The incident, which occurred on April 26, 2025, at 7:56 PM, in the back channel of Eastern Shores, has gone viral on the internet, generating reactions that compare the event to scenes from action movies like "Fast and Furious" or video games such as "GTA."
Local maritime authorities are investigating the events to clarify the exact circumstances of the accident.
Growing concern about boating accidents in Miami
The recent accident in North Miami Beach adds to a series of maritime incidents that have raised alarms about nautical safety in South Florida.
In April 2024, a private boat collided with the Haulover Bridge in Miami when its captain, who claimed to have experience as a boatman in Cuba, lost control due to the strong currents of the Haulover Inlet. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident caused material damage and reignited the debate over navigation licenses.
Months earlier, in December 2023, the luxurious yacht Utopía IV violently struck a nearby bridge close to the Virgin Voyages terminal in Miami. According to authorities, the accident was caused by strong currents generated by the maneuvers of tugboats and cruise ships. The Utopía IV had already been involved in a previous accident in the Bahamas, adding to the controversy surrounding its record.
In May 2024, tragedy struck Biscayne Bay when Ella Adler, a 15-year-old girl, died after being struck while water skiing. The individual responsible, identified as the Cuban businessman Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78 years old, was operating a 42-foot Boston Whaler and fled the scene of the accident.
Although it was initially believed that the vessel involved had fled, later investigations revealed that Alonso, an experienced sailor, did not notice the impact.
These recent events highlight the urgent need to strengthen regulations and controls over recreational boating in Miami, where the increase in private and rental vessels poses growing risks to public safety.
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