Accidents of the Week - January 10, 2026

BoatTEST publishes “Accidents of the Week” as a public service for our VIP Subscribers to acquaint them with potential boating dangers and by inference their prevention.

Man Rescued from Top of Sailboat Mast

12/28/25 – St Petersburg, FL 

St. Pete Fire Rescue (SPFR) said it rescued a man stuck at the top of a sailboat mast in Saint Petersburg, Florida, over the weekend of 27 to 28 December.

St. Pete Fire Rescue said it responded to a call of a boater stranded at the top of a sailboat mast in the middle of the channel. The person was secured in his harness at the top, but the lowering equipment wouldn’t work.

Crews safely rescued the boater, SPFR said, and towed the vessel back to the marina.

Boater Charged After Fleeing Scene of Serious Crash

12/28/25 – Boynton Beach, FL

A serious boating crash near the Woolbright Bridge in Florida’s Boynton Beach led to felony and misdemeanor charges after investigators said the operator fled the scene, leaving behind an injured passenger and damaged property.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), officers responded to the incident around 7:17 p.m. on 28 December, after reports of a vessel striking the Woolbright Bridge and nearby private dock pilings.

By the time officers arrived, the boat had sunk south of the bridge, and both the operator and a female passenger had already been airlifted to Delray Medical Center with injuries. Investigators later identified the operator as Michael Dority Gee.

Operator Reportedly Left Injured Passenger at Scene

Witness statements, video evidence, and a hospital interview revealed that Gee was operating the vessel when it collided with the bridge, then crashed into dock pilings on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The impact ejected the passenger from the vessel, causing injuries to her back, arms, foot, and head, authorities said. FWC officers determined that after the crash, Gee left the scene without stopping to render aid, notify emergency services, or contact the property owner, despite witnesses attempting to help and even chasing the vessel to offer assistance.

Florida law requires boat operators involved in accidents with injuries or property damage to remain at the scene and report the incident as soon as possible.
 

Coast Guard Rescues 7 From Flooded Fishing Boat

12/29/25 – Riviera Beach, FL

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued seven people on 29 December from a fishing boat taking on water near Florida’s Peanut Island.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast, Lake Worth Inlet boat crews rescued the fishermen due to the boat taking on water, and grounded it on Peanut Island to prevent further flooding.

Commercial salvage reportedly worked to dewater and remove the 61-foot sport fishing boat so it would not be hazardous to other vessels navigating the Intracoastal Waterway.
 

Rescue Crews Respond to Boat Fire in Fort Lauderdale

12/26/25 - Fort Lauderdale, FL

A 30-foot boat caught fire late night on 26 December at a waterfront property in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sending thick smoke and flames into the air and prompting a response from Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR).

FLFR spokesperson Frank Guzman said crews quickly extinguished the blaze, which broke out around 11:30 p.m. Video of the incident showed bright orange flames and heavy black smoke rising above trees, partially obscuring the boat. Guzman later confirmed that no injuries were reported.

Witnesses described the incident as a large boat with a cabin suddenly erupting into flames. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
 

Duck Hunter Rescued from Frigid Water in Maine

12/26/25 – Scarborough, ME

It was a scary morning for a duck hunter after his boat went underwater in Maine’s Casco Bay and he was trapped in the frigid water for more than 10 minutes.

Sebastian Santiago explained that he was duck hunting with friends off Pine Point in Scarborough, Maine, on the morning of 26 December. One of the ducks that was shot was injured so he set out on his own in a skiff to kill it and harvest it.

Santiago said he then noticed half his boat was under water and all he had time to do was grab a life vest and float in the water about halfway between Pine Point and Ferry Beach. He was in the ocean for 10 to 12 minutes until his fellow hunters were finally able to get to him.

Hunter Credits PFD with Saving Life in Frigid Water

"By the point they got to me, I was not moving, I was in, basically not responding to anything. I was just a body floating in the water, which goes to tell all the hunters out there to always be safe. Never go by yourself if you're hunting in this type of weather," Santiago said.

Santiago said he was hypothermic for a long time and was hospitalized under heating blankets for about an hour just to get his body to respond. He lost the birds he shot and his shotgun and a couple thousand dollars in gear when the boat went under, but the life jacket saved his life.
 

Fire Crews Battle Blaze in Miami Beach Marina  

12/27/25 – Miami, FL

Six units of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR), as well as Miami Beach Fire and City of Miami Beach Fire, arrived at a marina in the 300 block of Miami Beach’s Alton Road after receiving reports of a boat that was on fire on 27 December.

Video captured crews putting out a fire that spread across a 60-foot yacht. When Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews arrived at the marina, Miami Beach Fire was already there trying to extinguish the flames, with video showing heavy smoke coming from the yacht as crews worked to put out the flames.

MDFR said the fire was located in a sealed-off area in the rear of the yacht, and it was difficult for crews to get to.

The fire quickly spread throughout the yacht, and MDFR supported Miami Beach Fire with hose line, dewatering efforts and fuel containment. No injuries were reported.
 

USCG Rescues 4 After Vessel Capsizes Off Key West  

12/31/25 – Key West, FL

Members of the United States Coast Guard rescued four boaters after their vessel capsized about 30 miles north of Key West.

Coast Guard officials said an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew self-diverted from a routine patrol and found the four boaters after receiving an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast issued by Sector Key West watchstanders. The Coast Guard said one of the boaters was able to grab a handheld radio to call for help before the boat capsized.

After the boat capsized it started smoking, and boaters tied their life jackets to each other to remain together in the water among the 2- to 4-foot seas and 18 mph winds, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard: Boaters ‘Did a Lot of Things Right’ to Stay Safe

The helicopter crew arrived on scene and deployed a rescue swimmer, who helped hoist three boaters into the aircraft. Another helicopter crew then arrived and was able to lift the last survivor and Coast Guard rescue swimmer from the water.

"We're proud of our crews and our Navy partners for helping save four lives after their vessel capsized," Petty Officer 3rd Class Tabitha Pearigen, Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstander, said in a statement. "This is what we do. We want to save lives; we train to save lives." Pearigen continued and praised the boaters' actions.

"The boaters did a lot of things right—wearing life jackets and staying in communication—which made a real difference in keeping everyone safe," she said. "As we head into the new year, this is a good reminder to check the weather, wear your gear, and make sure you have a way to call for help before getting underway."

 

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