Accidents of the Week - July 18, 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.
California Marina Boat Fire Smokes Up Downtown
6/23/26 – Eureka, CA
Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a boat fire at Eureka Marina in Eureka, California, at about 9 a.m. on June 23 and extinguished the blaze in about 15 minutes.
No one was aboard the vessel, no one on the dock was injured, and nearby boats were not damaged. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Battalion Chief John Chambers said the thick black smoke came from the burning fiberglass hull.
Woman Killed After Cabin Cruiser Runs Ashore
7/4/26 – Portland, OR
A woman was killed and four other people were hospitalized after a boat ran ashore during the Fourth of July weekend on the Willamette River near Sauvie Island, Oregon, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began at 11:24 p.m. Saturday, July 4, when the Bureau of Emergency Communications received a 911 call reporting a boat had run ashore on Sauvie Island. The Sauvie Island Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office responded.
Crews found a woman dead at the scene. Paramedics took four other people to the hospital, including the boat’s operator. Authorities said none of the four people had life-threatening injuries and all occupants were believed to be adults.
Boat Reportedly Hit Aluminum Walkway
Investigators said the boat, described as a 33-foot cabin cruiser, struck part of an aluminum walkway that extended to a dock and was anchored by several large vertical pilings. The cause of the crash remained under investigation.
Authorities said it was too early to determine whether speed, impairment or lighting conditions were contributing factors. The sheriff’s office was withholding the identity of the woman who died until next-of-kin notifications were completed.
Adult Dies While Paddleboarding on Reservoir
7/3/26 – Aurora, CO
A man died after falling into the water on July 3 while he was paddleboarding in Colorado’s Cherry Creek Reservoir, in the southeastern part of the Denver metro area.
The adult was not wearing a life jacket, and he had a child on the paddleboard with him. The child was also not wearing a life jacket and fell into the water as well but was uninjured, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The man was pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. CPW held a news conference shortly after the man was taken to the hospital.
PFDs ‘Will Save Your Life’: CPW
"We want you to return home with your family. We want you to come out, recreate safely, enjoy the water, enjoy the sun. But we want you also to be able to go home. And doing that, you need to wear a life jacket. These will save your life. They will save first responders' lives, they will save the lives of the people that you love as well. Please, please wear a life jacket this weekend," said CPW spokeswoman Kara Van Hoose.
The identity of the man was not released at the time.
Baby, Child Among 8 Pulled from Water in Beach Rescue
7/3/26 – Fort Myers, FL
A baby and a child were among eight people rescued after a boat began sinking near Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a crew from Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach responded to a report of a sinking boat and rescued all eight people on board, including the baby and child.
The Coast Guard said everyone aboard was safely recovered from the water.
2 Pulled from Honolulu Waters After Boat Capsizes
7/3/26 – Honolulu, HI
Two men were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard on July 3 after their 12-foot fishing vessel capsized offshore of Honolulu’s Keaau Beach Park.
Coast Guard watchstanders were notified of a Personal Locator Beacon alert shortly before 2 p.m., indicating positions along West Oahu and issued an urgent marine information broadcast.
The Coast Guard said that around 3:30 p.m., an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew located the men sitting on the overturned boat and wearing life jackets. USCG then safely hoisted them and brought them to Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei and shared a picture of the two men with the helicopter crew after they landed.
2 Hurt After Boater Slams into Florida Keys Bridge
7/5/26 – Sugarloaf Key, FL
Two people were hurt after a boater crashed into a bridge in the Florida Keys on July 5, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).
One of the victims was considered a trauma patient. According to MCSO, the boat wrecked into the Harris Gap Channel Bridge, which carries U.S. 1 through Sugarloaf Key.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was investigating the crash.
Crews Rescue Two from Sinking Boat on Texas Lake
6/30/26- Smith Co., TX
Two people were rescued on the morning of June 30 after their boat began sinking on Lake Palestine, Texas.
According to Smith County ESD No. 2 Public Information Officer Nikki Simmons, emergency crews responded at about 11:20 a.m. after receiving a report of a sinking boat.
When firefighters arrived, they found two people stranded aboard a boat that was taking on water through a hole in the hull.
Both occupants were safely rescued, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the incident was not released at the time.
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