MIAMI (BN24) — Two children were killed and two others critically injured Monday when a barge collided with their small sailboat during a youth sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, authorities said. The tragic incident unfolded as six people, including five children and one adult instructor, were participating in their final week of the camp organized by the Miami Yacht Club.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge struck the group’s sailboat around midday, capsizing it and tossing all six occupants into the water. Emergency responders quickly pulled everyone from the bay and rushed four children to a nearby hospital, where two were pronounced dead. The two others remain in critical condition, while the remaining two individuals were reported to be in stable condition, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg.
“The entire MYC family is devastated by this terrible tragedy,” said Commodore Emily Copeland of the Miami Yacht Club in a statement.
The sailboat remains submerged beneath the barge in Biscayne Bay, a popular recreational waterway situated between Miami and Miami Beach, surrounded by small islands and luxury waterfront homes.
Local news footage showed a large emergency response at the scene, with boats circling the area and divers working to recover the vessel and investigate the scene. The names and ages of the victims have not yet been released, but the camp was open to children between 7 and 15 years old.
Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander Capt. Frank Florio vowed a thorough investigation into the crash. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to accountability, improvement, and the shared responsibility of ensuring safety at sea,” Florio said.
Though boating fatalities are a persistent risk nationwide — with over 550 recorded deaths in recreational boating accidents last year — only 43 were caused by vessel collisions, according to the Coast Guard.
The accident has cast a dark cloud over what was meant to be a week of fun and learning for young sailors. Community members and yacht club officials have expressed shock and sorrow as families wait for answers in the wake of the devastating crash.
