Accidents of the Week - September 12, 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.
Boat Goes Airborne at 200 MPH, Flips Backward
8/29/26 – Sunrise Beach, MO
A video that went viral on social media showed a high-speed boat crash at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, where a boat travelling at around 200 miles per hour lifted off the water, flipped backward, and crashed back into the lake.
One person suffered serious injuries in the incident, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the boat, named "Dirty Duck," got some air time while travelling at 200 miles per hour during the 38th annual boat race for charity.
Footage of the incident showed the boat speeding across the lake before suddenly lifting into the air, flipping backward, and crashing back into the water.
Driver Seriously Injured in Crash
The 45-year-old driver of the boat was seriously injured, according to a post by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The 39-year-old throttleman was not hurt.
Video attached to the post showed the boat speeding down the lake before suddenly lifting into the air and flipping backward. It then landed in the water and bounced twice.
The crash occurred during the first day of the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout.
Boat Erupts in Flames Off NY’s City Island
8/29/26 – Bronx, NY
There were some tense moments off the Bronx’s City Island on August 29 when a boat erupted in flames.
The New York Fire Department (FDNY) got the call just before 2 p.m. near Bridge Street, where the boat was docked at the time of the fire.
The FDNY says three people suffered minor injuries. There was no word at the time on what had caused the fire.
Person Rescued from Sailboat on San Diego Jetty
9/1/26 – San Diego, CA
A person was found aboard a sailboat that was trapped on rocks off the San Diego coast early on September 1 and was taken to the hospital in unknown condition.
Around 6:39 a.m., lifeguards found a sailboat trapped on the North Channel jetty off San Diego’s Ocean Beach with one person aboard. Rescuers had to extricate them from the boat.
Sailor Trapped for ‘Some Time’
Authorities believed the occupant was trapped for “some time” before being rescued. Fire paramedics took them to the hospital in unknown condition.
Fire officials were working with the Coast Guard to wait until high tide to remove the boat from the rocks.
Boat Catches Fire in NY’s Huntington Harbor
8/29/26 – Long Island, NY
A boat caught fire just before 11 a.m. on August 29 in New York’s Huntington Harbor, on Long Island Sound.
The Huntington Fire Department said their crews had responded to the fire, adding that Sea Tow personnel had seen the smoke and safely removed the burning vessel away from the fuel dock and toward Gold Star Beach. Firefighters were then able to put out the flames.
It was not immediately clear in initial reports if there had been any injuries in the incident.
Coast Guard Rescues Two from Grounded Boat
8/24/26 – Charleston, SC
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew responded to two people aboard a boat that had run aground near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, on August 24.
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast reported that the Air Facility Charleston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued two people from a grounded boat.
The helicopter crew transported both individuals to a nearby hospital, where no injuries were reported, according to the USCG.
Boat Catches Fire at Ozarks Waterfront Bar
8/29/26 – Sunrise Beach, MO
A boat caught fire at Franky & Louie's Beach Front Bar & Grill, on the Lake of the Ozarks, on August 29.
The restaurant posted about the incident on their Facebook page, writing, "Not the kind of heat we usually come to Franky & Louie’s for. Boat fire today — everyone is okay, and that’s what matters."
In photo and video footage posted online, individuals could be seen trying to douse the fire with available water hoses. The cause of the fire was not reported.
Five Rescued from Disabled Pontoon Boat
8/31/26 – Knox Co., TN
Five people on a disabled pontoon boat were assisted by Knox County Rescue (KCR) in Tennessee’s Holston River on August 31.
Late in the evening, KCR was dispatched to the river to help an adult and four minors on a disabled pontoon boat that was moving swiftly. KCR’s water team found the pontoon and helped the five people into the rescue boat, transporting them to safety.
The pontoon was then secured and left in place to be recovered later. Knox County Rescue is an emergency response agency that began in 1956. It is a nonprofit that also helps with fire rescues, vehicle crashes and more.
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