Accidents of the Week - July 11, 2026
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Family Survives Capsizing, Sheriff Praises Use of Safety Gear
6/20/26 – Pinellas Co., FL
A family was able to call for help and stay afloat after their boat capsized because they had the required safety gear aboard, according to the Sheriff’s Office in Pinellas County, Florida.
A boat capsizing can quickly become dangerous, and having the right equipment ready can help keep a bad situation from getting worse, officials said.
“This family had all they needed to call for help and stay afloat until we arrived,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “It’s far better to have this gear at the ready and not need it than to need it and not have it.”
Woman Killed, 4 Injured in Collision on Lake Michigan
6/25/26 – Chicago, IL
A 26-year-old woman was killed, and four others were injured, after two boats collided on Lake Michigan.
On June 25, first responders were summoned to Lake Michigan, near Monroe Harbor, just before midnight local time after receiving reports of a boat collision with multiple injuries, the Illinois Conservation Police shared in a press release.
Cabin Cruiser Struck Smaller Vessel
Upon arrival, authorities found that a 33-foot cabin cruiser motorboat carrying nine passengers had struck a smaller vessel carrying five passengers.
In a press conference held by the Chicago Fire Department, Deputy District Chief Jason Lach said two people ended up in the water before bystanders quickly helped remove them from the lake. "Two vessels were coming back into port," Lach said. "One vessel overtook another one, and there was a collision that happened."
All five passengers aboard the smaller boat, four of whom were in critical condition, were rushed to hospital for treatment. Passengers on the larger vessel declined medical attention at the scene.
Fire Destroys Boats, Dock at Lake of the Ozarks
6/28/26 – Rocky Mount, MO
A fire destroyed several boats and a dock at Lake of the Ozarks on the morning of June 28, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The fire occurred at Dry Branch Cove, west of Lake Ozark. The Lake Ozark and Rocky Mount Fire Protection Districts responded to the fire.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Coast Guard Assists Disabled Sailboat 100 Miles Offshore
6/22/26 – Charleston, SC
U.S. Coast Guard crews assisted a man aboard a disabled sailboat about 100 miles offshore of Charleston, South Carolina, on June 22, officials said.
The Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous initiated a tow of the sailboat. The vessel was later transferred to the Coast Guard Cutter Coho for continued transit toward shore, according to the Coast Guard.
The sailboat was eventually transferred to a commercial salvage crew near Mayport, Florida, officials said.
New Mexico Hikers Rescued After Canoe Flips Over
6/21/26 - Taos, NM
Two people were safe after the canoes flipped in New Mexico’s Taos Gorge. Authorities said it happened on Sunday, June 21, and both people were pinned underwater in the lower Taos box section.
Most of their gear washed downriver, stranding them overnight without food, water and warm clothing.
The following morning, crews rappelled from the upper rim and intercepted the two people who had hiked halfway up the gorge. Both people were brought back to safety around 10:30 a.m.
Coast Guard Rescues 2 After Boat Becomes Disabled
6/28/26 – Tybee Island, GA
Two boaters were safely brought ashore on June 28 after their 23-foot vessel became disabled offshore near Georgia’s Tybee Island, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston received a request for help over VHF channel 16 from the two people aboard the vessel. A commercial salvage crew initially launched to assist, but rough sea conditions prevented it from reaching the boat.
A boat crew from Coast Guard Station Tybee then launched while watchstanders in Charleston stayed in contact with the stranded mariners.
Rough Conditions Prevented Tow
Because of the sea state, the Coast Guard crew could not safely tow the disabled vessel, officials said. Instead, rescuers brought the two people aboard the Coast Guard boat and transported them safely to shore.
The disabled vessel was left at anchor offshore, and its owners were set to arrange for its recovery, according to the Coast Guard.
USCG Assists Injured Mariner on Grounded Houseboat
6/28/26 – Tybee Island, GA
A U.S. Coast Guard Station Tybee boat crew helped a mariner needing medical attention aboard a grounded 40-foot houseboat near the entrance to Georgia’s Lazaretto Creek on June 28.
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders got a notification of the grounded houseboat with two people and two dogs aboard. A Station Tybee boat crew launched to assess the situation and provide assistance.
Before the crew arrived, one mariner and the two dogs were transported ashore by a passing boater. The remaining mariner reported feeling unwell after hitting his head, according to U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
Coast Guard crews coordinated with local emergency medical services and transported the mariner to Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp, where EMS personnel evaluated him on the shore. No serious injuries were reported.
Boat catches fire south of Duck Island in Long Island Sound
6/28/26 – Westbrook, CT
Everyone was safely removed from a boat fire south of Connecticut’s Duck Island in the Long Island Sound on the afternoon of June 28, officials said.
There was light smoke coming from a 42-foot boat in the area, according to Connecticut’s Clinton Volunteer Fire Department. Authorities said everyone was safely removed from the vessel by a Clinton firefighter who happened to be in the area on his own boat.
The Clinton Fire Department responded along with Clinton Police, Westbrook Fire, Westbrook Police, Old Saybrook Fire, and Old Saybrook Police. There was no word on what caused the fire, and no further information was released.
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