Accidents of the Week – March 4, 2023
4 March, 2023
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.
Flames Engulf Boat at Northeast Miami Marina
2/18/23 – Miami, FL
A boat was engulfed in flames overnight on 18 February at a marina in Miami, officials said.
Crews arrived to the marina at 860 NE 78 Street around 1:45 a.m. to find a boat on fire, Miami Fire Rescue said. Within 30 minutes, the fire was under control.
According to Miami Fire Rescue, all other exposures were protected and the incident was isolated to the boat of origin.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire and no one was on board at the time of the incident. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
6 People Rescued From Sinking Vessel Off Texas Coast, Coast Guard Says
2/19/23 – Freeport, TX
Six people were rescued from a sinking vessel off the Texas coast on 19 February, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Watchstanders received a call just before noon about a 32-foot vessel taking on water. The people on the boat told watchstanders that their three dewatering pumps weren't working and that they had to abandon the boat.
Coast Guard stresses importance of reliable communication equipment
The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot Response Boat and their Dolphin helicopter crew to locate and rescue the group. They were later located five miles south of the Brazos River near Freeport on a life raft.
According to the Coast Guard, no injuries were reported. They also stressed the importance of having reliable communication equipment on your vessel for such situations.
"We can’t stress enough the importance of having reliable, efficient communication equipment on board your vessel," Tyler Downes with the USCG's Sector Houston-Galveston said. "Every second matters during an emergency on the water, and a marine radio can be a direct lifeline for you and everyone on your boat."
Coast Guard Rescues 3 After Boat Capsizes by Laguna Vista, Texas
2/15/23 – Laguna Vista, TX
The United States Coast Guard rescued three people on 15 February after their boat capsized near Laguna Vista.
At 1:32 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi watchstanders received a notice that a 15 to 20-foot boat with three men aboard had capsized in the Laguna Madre. The Coast Guard Station South Padre Island boat crew responded to the scene.
Rescued men not using PFDs
When they arrived, they found all three men were holding on to the hull of the overturned boat and none of them were wearing life jackets. The crew rescued the men and transported them to awaiting EMS at the Coast Guard station on South Padre Island.
Agencies Respond to Vessel Aground off Maui, Diesel Spill
2/20/23 – Honolulu, HI
The Coast Guard responded to a 94-foot motor yacht that grounded off the north side of Honolua Bay, Maui, on 20 February.
After eight boaters onboard the vessel were safely returned to shore by the Maui Fire Department, the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Team began working with the owner of the vessel to arrange for salvage and removal.
Grounded yacht spills diesel
Due to the urgency of the response needed, the Coast Guard Federal On-scene Coordinator opened the National Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, federalizing efforts to mitigate potential pollution to the environment.
On the morning of 21 February, “a sheen of diesel fuel was leaking from the boat’s hull and was visible in surrounding water,” reported the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
“We understand everyone’s frustration with the grounding and harm to the reef at Honolua, a bay with abundant marine life that’s loved by many residents of Maui and visitors alike,” declared DLNR First Deputy Laura Kaakua in a news release. “Wednesday, the focus will be defueling the vessel, and then we can turn to efficient removal with the least additional damage possible.”
Sea Engineering Inc., an oil spill removal organization based out of Honolulu, was contracted to remove all potential pollution, and mitigate hazards to the environment, while sorbent materials were deployed to address pollution in the water.
Tennessee Agencies Join Search for North Carolina Fisherman Missing on French Broad River
2/18/23 – Cocke Co., TN
The Swift Water Rescue Team in Cocke County, Tennessee, joined a search to find a North Carolina man who went missing while fishing near the state line.
Phillip Shelton, 64, disappeared on 18 February while canoeing the French Broad River in Madison County, North Carolina. His canoe and personal items were recovered along the riverbank on 19 February, according to local emergency response teams.
His dog was found running near where Shelton was known to park his car while canoeing, Madison County officials said in a press release.
“If this gentleman has made it to our county, we will find him,” said Cocke County Emergency Management in a post on Facebook. Dozens of first responders from Buncombe, Cherokee, Henderson and Madison counties began searching for Shelton between Marshall, North Carolina and the state line.
Dallas Burleson, Shelton’s niece, told reporters on 22 February that more crews were coming to help with search dogs, but nothing else had been found since Shelton’s capsized canoe was recovered.
Three People Rescued After 50-foot Boat Sank Off Coast of Key West
2/18/23 – Fleming Key, FL
Three people were rescued after their boat began to sink near Key West.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the Key West boat crew responded to a call on 18 February to reports of a sinking vessel. Crews said the 50-foot boat was found of nine miles north of Fleming Key, an island off the northwest corner of Key West.
Three people were rescued and crews said one had a laceration to the head and was transferred to medical services once on shore. Investigators were working to determine how the boat sank.
Coast Guard Rescues 2 U.S. Boaters from Sinking Vessel Off Puerto Rico
2/21/23 – San Juan, PR
The crew of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter rescued two men from a sinking vessel on 21 February in the Mona Passage, west of Puerto Rico.
The rescued boaters are two U.S. citizens, who reportedly were the only persons aboard a 27-foot Robalo when the vessel became disabled and began taking on water.
Coast Guard highlights teamwork, VHF distress call
“This case was an excellent example of teamwork on the high seas,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class José Chacón, MH-60T Jayhawk flight mechanic and aircrew for the case.
“The VHF Channel 16 distress call from the vessel relayed an accurate position, while the Harmony of the Seas cruise ship diverted from their course to assist. Once on-scene, the vessel was listing, and the stern was barely above water. Fortunately, we were able to safely hoist the two men as the vessel was about to go under.”
Watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a VHF radio Channel 16 distress call at 10:07 a.m. on 21 February, reporting two people aboard a disabled vessel taking on water, approximately 26 nautical miles southwest of Mona Island, Puerto Rico.
Watchstanders directed the launch of an Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Dixon, while also issuing an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast UMIB to alert any marine traffic in the area.
The Harmony of the Seas cruise ship responded to the UMIB and diverted to the scene. The cruise ship was able to establish communications and visual contact with the vessel in distress and remained on scene monitoring the situation as rescue units arrived.
Shortly thereafter, the Coast Guard aircrew located the two men aboard the vessel that was listing starboard and later capsized. The boaters were hoisted from the water using a rescue basket to bring them safely aboard the aircraft. No injuries were reported.