Fatal Collision in Biscayne Bay

Yusiel Lopez Insua, 46, of Miami, has been charged with seaman’s manslaughter following a boat crash in July that claimed the lives of three young girls participating in a Miami sailing camp. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced the charge.

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred in Biscayne Bay, a waterway between Miami and Miami Beach. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Insua was operating a vessel that collided with a sailboat carrying a counselor and five girls, aged 7 to 13. The sailboat stalled in the path of a barge being pushed by a tugboat.

Lack of Lookout and Distraction

Investigators found that Insua did not have a clear view due to the barge and that no one was assigned as a lookout on his vessel. A forensic review of Insua’s cellphone also revealed internet access around the time of the collision, raising concerns about potential distractions.

Rescue Efforts and Fatalities

The counselor and two of the girls were able to escape after being dragged under the barge. However, three girls became trapped in the wreckage and tragically drowned. Four children were transported to a hospital, where a 7-year-old and a 13-year-old were initially pronounced dead.

Third Fatality Confirmed

Days later, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a 10-year-old girl, who had been in critical condition, also succumbed to her injuries. The sailboat was submerged beneath the barge in Biscayne Bay, near islands like Star Island.

Official Statement

“Our hearts are with the families of the children who lost their lives in this tragedy,” stated Jason Reding Quiñones, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida. “This information alleges a preventable loss of life on our waterways, including the failure to follow basic maritime safety rules and cellphone use during transit at or near the time of the collision.”

Legal Representation

The Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida have not yet commented on whether Insua has retained legal counsel.

Boating Accident Statistics

According to Coast Guard statistics, there were over 550 recreational boating deaths across the U.S. in 2024. However, collisions between vessels accounted for only a small percentage – 43 – of those fatalities.