Accidents of the Week - August 8, 2026
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Two Injured After Vessel Strikes Port Canaveral Jetties
Jetties
7/25/26 – Port Canaveral, FL
Two people were injured on July 25 after a 25-foot vessel struck Florida’s Port Canaveral jetties, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral team responded to the incident and confirmed that both boat occupants had injuries that were not life-threatening. They were then transferred to emergency medical services for further care.
Oregon Rafter Airlifted After Severe Leg Injury
7/21/26 - Josephine Co., OR
A rafter with a severe leg injury was rescued by helicopter from a remote section of the Rogue River west of Galice, Oregon.
The injured person was floating in the Wild and Scenic section of the river when the emergency happened. Someone with the group sent a text using a Garmin GPS device to reach 9-1-1, given the absence of cell coverage in that area.
According to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, search and rescue crews or other rescuers would have taken a long time to reach the rafter, due to the remote nature of the location. The sheriff's office therefore worked with the U.S. Coast Guard in North Bend to launch a rescue helicopter.
The helicopter landed nearby and crews gave the injured rafter medical help. The person was then flown to a hospital for treatment.
Unmanned Boat Found Circling Harbor, 1 Rescued
7/20/26 – Charleston, SC
U.S. Coast Guard crews stopped an unmanned vessel they said was circling in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Coast Guard officials said the boat was discovered on July 20.
A good Samaritan rescued one person from the water before Coast Guard crews arrived.
No other details were provided about what had occurred or whether the individual had suffered any type of injury. The vessel was towed to the James Island Yacht Club.
Agencies Investigate Lake Champlain Boat Fire
7/25/26 – Clinton Co., NY
Authorities were investigating what caused a boat to catch fire on Lake Champlain on the afternoon of July 25.
It happened just after 3 p.m. when authorities received a mayday distress call over the emergency channel about a boat on fire near Valcour Island, on the New York side of the lake. Two people were reported in the water.
By the time police arrived, the people were safely aboard another vessel, unharmed. Crews were able to put the fire out. The charred boat was towed to land.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Clinton County Sheriff’s Office were among those agencies trying to determine what ignited the fire.
Three Paddleboarders Rescued at Utah Lake
7/24/26 – Utah Co., UT
Three paddleboarders were rescued from Utah Lake on the evening of July 24 after a strong windstorm pulled them away from shore.
Saratoga Springs Fire and Rescue said that at 7 p.m., strong winds and rough waves pushed a 21-year-old man, 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl away from the shoreline and left them unable to return.
‘Two of the Three’ Wearing PFDs: Rescuers
Firefighters and state park personnel quickly responded and conducted a successful rescue.
“Thankfully, all three were safely rescued, no injuries were reported, and two of the three were wearing life jackets,” Saratoga Springs Fire said.
Seven Rescued from Disabled Boat
7/21/26 – Belton, TX
Seven people, including five minors, were safely brought to shore after a boat became disabled on July 21 on Texas’ Stillhouse Hollow Lake, prompting a water rescue by Central Bell Fire and Rescue.
Emergency crews responded after receiving reports that a boat carrying seven occupants had experienced mechanical problems and was unable to return safely to shore.
When firefighters arrived, they located the disabled vessel and confirmed that all seven people were accounted for and wearing life jackets.
Using a department rescue boat, crews escorted the disabled vessel and its occupants to a nearby boat ramp without incident. No injuries were reported, and those aboard were evaluated at the scene before being released.
Boat Damaged in South Carolina Fire
7/26/26 – Horry Co., SC
Fire crews responded to smoke coming from a boat docked in Little River, South Carolina, on July 26.
Horry County Fire Rescue was called to a reported fire in the area of the 4000 block of Coquina Harbour Drive around 9:27 a.m.
Crew members were able to contain the fire, but the boat experienced some fire damage. There were no reported injuries.
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