A vessel arrived this Saturday at Haulover, north of Miami Beach, with the engine still running and the keys inside, but without any crew members, as reported on the Instagram account Only in Dade.
The preliminary details indicated that the owner of the boat, along with at least one other person, had jumped into the water, as the current was too strong for them to control the vessel.
Fortunately, the crew of another boat picked them up and safely transported them to shore after swimming for nearly an hour.
The Coast Guard, in a statement posted on social media X, confirmed the incident and specified that the two sailors were ejected from their boat because they did not have a kill switch for the engine.
"The shut-off switches are mandatory for vessels under 26 feet," authorities warned in their statement.
Also this Saturday, a nautical accident caused a stir in Miami, when an out-of-control yacht collided with a vessel moored at a residential dock, was launched into the air, and ended up capsized in the water.
The dramatic event was captured on video and shared on social media on the Only in Dade Instagram account.
The images show how the vessel, moving at high speed, loses control in a canal in North Miami Beach, violently strikes a parked boat, and, after the impact, partially rises 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, the neighbors reacted quickly, jumping into the water on jet skis and swimming to rescue the injured, including two minors.
A series of maritime incidents 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.
Months earlier, in December 2023, the luxurious yacht Utopía IV violently impacted a bridge near the Virgin Voyages terminal in Miami. According to authorities, the accident was caused by the 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 controversy to its record.
In May 2024, tragedy struck Biscayne Bay when Ella Adler, a 15-year-old girl, died after being hit while water skiing. The individual responsible, identified as the Cuban businessman Carlos Guillermo Alonso, 78 years old, was driving a 42-foot Boston Whaler boat and fled the scene of the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nautical Incidents in Miami
What happened to the vessel found without crew in Miami?
A vessel was found in Haulover, Miami, with the engine running and no crew members on board. The sailors were ejected from the boat due to the absence of an engine shut-off switch. They were rescued by another boat after swimming for nearly an hour.
Why are kill switches important on small boats?
Shut-off switches are mandatory for vessels under 26 feet because they prevent the boat from continuing to operate if the operator falls overboard, enhancing the safety of the crew.
What measures are being considered to improve nautical safety in Miami?
Due to recent incidents, the need to require stricter boating licenses and enhance education on nautical safety is being debated to prevent accidents in South Florida.
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