Sailboat incident near Miami Beach leaves six hospitalized

On July 27, 2025, a significant maritime accident occurred near Star Island in Miami Beach, Florida, involving a sailing vessel and a barge. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that six individuals, including five children, were rescued from the water following a collision between their sailboat and a barge. The incident took place at approximately 11:14 a.m., prompting immediate response from various emergency services including the Miami Beach Fire and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Early reports indicated that divers were deployed to search for missing occupants of the submerged vessel. All six victims, which included one adult female and five juveniles aged between eight and 12 years, were located and brought to safety thanks to the prompt efforts of responding agencies. While they were all retrieved from the water, three of the children were reported in critical condition, with one child in stable condition. Medical teams transported the victims to a local hospital for further assessment and treatment. The nature of the injuries sustained during the incident has not been disclosed. The swift response from the emergency services was crucial in averting a potential tragedy, as the conditions on the water could have worsened significantly without immediate intervention. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by recreational boating activities and the need for increased safety measures on waterways. Authorities have begun an investigation into the circumstances that led to the crash. Such incidents underline the importance of adhering to safety protocols while navigating in crowded waterways, particularly during busy periods when the risk of accidents may increase. Officials have previously emphasized the need for boaters to remain vigilant and ensure that precautionary measures are in place to protect themselves and others on the water.