Accidents of the Week - November 8, 2025
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3 Vessels Damaged in Virginia Boat Fire
10/28/25 - Poquoson, VA
A fire broke out aboard a large powerboat on 28 October, in Poquoson, Virginia. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but three vessels suffered damage before it was all over.
It happened outside the popular Hampton Roads restaurant, Surf Rider, in White House Cove off the Poquoson River. Just before 9:30 am, Poquoson Fire & Rescue Department responded to reports of a boat fire. They found one powerboat fully engulfed in flames, a second boat heavily damaged, and a third boat with “minor to moderate damage”, the Fire & Rescue Department said.
‘You Did an Amazing Job’: Liveaboard to Firefighters
The fire was brought under control and did not spread to Surf Rider restaurant or to further boats, much to the relief of at least one liveaboard nearby. She posted her gratitude on Facebook, saying, “My dog and I are SO GRATEFUL for the quick response … you all did an amazing job!!”
The Newport News Fire Department, York County Department of Fire & Life Safety, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management all helped in the fire response.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
2 Dead After Boat Crash on St. Johns River
10/26/25 – Brevard Co., FL
Two boaters were dead after a crash on the east side of Florida’s St. Johns River on the night of 26 October.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed that two vessels - each with an operator and one passenger – had crashed on the night of 26 October. All four people were thrown into the water.
The 32-year-old female passenger of one vessel was pulled unconscious from the water by a good Samaritan. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
The operator of that vessel, a 29-year-old man, was found in the water by a FWC dive team the following morning. He also died. The operator and passenger of the other vessel were uninjured.
Friends and family later identified the two people killed in the boating accident as Wyatt Syfrett, 29, and Kaitlynn Stanton, 32, described by friends as two "beautiful souls."
Small Boat Pushed Under Venetian Bridge in Miami
10/25/25 – Miami, FL
A small boat was found under the Venetian Bridge in Miami on 25 October, according to Miami Fire Rescue.
Fire crews said a large wave created by a yacht pushed the small boat under the bridge. The boat’s captain jumped into the water and was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
The bridge remained open after the incident.
10 Kayakers Rescued Off Georgia’s Little Tybee Island
10/25/25 – Tybee Island, GA
Ten kayakers were stranded off Georgia’s Little Tybee Island on Saturday 25 October, according to Tybee Island Fire Rescue.
In a social media post, Tybee Island Fire Rescue said a 911 call reported the stranded kayakers needed assistance “due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.” Tybee Island Fire said they launched their ‘Marine 1′ rescue boat from the Lazaretto Creek boat ramp and located the kayakers in the back river.
In two trips, Tybee Island Fire rescued the kayakers in groups of five. Officials said all were rescued without incident.
Kayaker Who Died While Hunting Identified as Police Lieutenant
10/26/25 – Stutsman Co., ND
Authorities identified a man who died while hunting from a kayak in Stutsman County, North Dakota, on 26 October.
Lieutenant Gordon Gwathney of the Knoxville Police Department in Tennessee died in a kayaking accident. His kayak had tipped over and he could no longer be seen by his hunting party.
After being located, he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Lieutenant Gwathney was 57 years old.
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