Accidents of the Week - August 1, 2026
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Storm Drives Sailboat into Power Lines
7/12/26 – Brevard Co., FL
A sailboat became entangled in overhead power lines during severe storms in Florida’s Brevard County on July 12.
The owner tried to ride out the weather aboard the vessel, according to authorities and the boat owner.
Video captured by an eyewitness showed the sailboat's mast repeatedly striking electrical wires near the Eau Gallie Causeway as firefighters responded. One man was seen jumping from the boat while another stood nearby with emergency crews.
‘The Captain Goes Down with His Boat’
Boat owner Todd Ramstead said he remained aboard as strong winds and waves battered the vessel. "The captain goes down with his boat, and I wasn't going to go down in three feet of water," Ramstead said.
Ramstead explained that he struggled to keep the sailboat steady as waves broke over the side. "It was a storm," he said. "I had waves breaking over the side of my boat." He said a companion attempting to secure a kayak was pulled to safety by firefighters.
Ramstead said he had lived aboard the sailboat, the Argonaut, since retiring eight years ago. The vessel had been stranded on a sandbar for five to six weeks while he saved money for a tow, leaving it vulnerable when the storm developed.
"For the last five or six weeks, I was in four feet of water," Ramstead said. "It was enough to float my boat upright, but it wasn't enough for my boat to get off of the sandbar."
Although the mast became tangled in power lines, Ramstead said neither he nor the boat suffered significant damage. "I got no water intrusion at all," he said. "It sounded horrible, sounded terrible. But that boat is a beast."
No injuries were reported and the sailboat remained anchored in the water after the storm.
Three Rescued by Good Samaritan After Boat Takes on Water
7/18/26 – Islandia, FL
Three boaters were safely rescued on July 18 after their vessel began taking on water about 4 miles east of the Upper Florida Keys, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a MAYDAY call over VHF Channel 16 from a 26-foot Bayliner reporting the emergency with three people on board.
Before first responders arrived, a nearby good Samaritan reached the disabled vessel and safely rescued all three occupants. No injuries were reported.
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Miami then arrived on scene, helped dewater the vessel and escorted it safely to the Homestead Bayfront Park boat ramp.
Fire Crews Extinguish Boat Engulfed in Flames, 1 Injured
7/15/26 – Fort Myers, FL
Fire crews responded to a large boat fire off of Florida’s Fort Myers Beach on July 15, according to video.
The Fort Myers Beach Fire District posted a video of a boat engulfed in flames just east of Hurricane Pass. Firefighters said there was one occupant who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Fire crews did not state the cause of the fire.
Rental PWC Collision Leaves 1 with Severe Injuries
7/19/26 – Iredell Co., NC
A collision between two rented personal watercraft (PWCs) on the afternoon of July 19 on North Carolina’s Lake Norman sent one person to the hospital with serious injuries.
Iredell County deputies said the crash between two rented PWCs left one rider with a broken leg and a severe laceration. Deputies said they responded to the reported collision, found the victim, and immediately began controlling bleeding and stabilizing the injury.
Officers said the person was then taken to a nearby dock, where EMS was waiting, and they were rushed to an area hospital. No other injuries were reported.
Two Boats Catch Fire at Connecticut Marina
7/16/26 – New London, CT
Two boats at Burr's Marina in New London, Connecticut, caught fire on the morning of July 16, according to New London Fire Chief Vernon Skau. Firefighters responded to the marina just after 5 a.m., and when they arrived, they saw two boats on fire, Skau said.
Skau explained that firefighters had a standard dock line they normally stretched, but the issue was one of the stern lines burned on one of the boats and the boat drifted farther than they could reach.
As a result, they activated the New London Marine Group, and they brought their boats over and they were able to manage the situation with their vessels, according to Skau. Two boats sustained extensive damage and two other boats were damaged by the intense heat.
The fire was under investigation by the New London Police Department, the fire department's investigative team, and DEEP.
Four Rescued from Boat Sinking Off Maine Coast
7/21/26 – Wells, ME
Crews rescued four people from a sinking boat off the coast of Wells, Maine, early on July 21.
According to the Ogunquit Fire Department, a boat struck Bibb Rock off the coast shortly after midnight and began sinking. Crews responded and rescued four people from the sinking vessel.
Officials said the four passengers were taken safely to Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, where they were evaluated by EMS and transported for additional medical care. This was the second marine rescue in this area this season.
The boat later washed up on Wells Beach. Police said plans were underway to remove it.
Boat Fire Damages Pier in Maryland Marina
7/20/26 – Baltimore Co., MD
A 35-foot boat caught fire near Carroll Island Road in Bowleys Quarters, Maryland, on the afternoon of July 20.
Fire crews responded after receiving reports of a vessel fully engulfed in flames. The fire spread to a nearby pier and damaged at least one neighboring boat before firefighters extinguished the blaze and checked for hot spots.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
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