More than 30 people were rescued Saturday from the waters off Miami Beach after a multi-million-dollar yacht began taking on water, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.
Emergency responders were called around 5 p.m. near Monument Island, and 32 people were rescued, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard. No injuries were reported.
Photos of the incident showed the assemblage of people, some with life jackets and others without, gathered on the vessel’s bow. Other photos showed the vessel partly submerged with mainly the bow peeking above the water.
The vessel involved in the incident was a Lamborghini Tecnomar, a 63-foot yacht priced at over $4 million. The vessel is allegedly built for five guests and two crew members, according to reporting from The U.S. Sun.
Commercial salvage crews were working to remove the vessel, but it was not a hazard to navigation, the USCG announced via Twitter.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident. An official cause has not been released as of Monday morning.
Leesfield & Partners
With over 48 years of experience in personal injury law across Florida, Leesfield & Partners understands just how dangerous the water can be. Boating accidents often stem from a variety of factors—including operator inexperience, mechanical failure and boating under the influence. About 83% of operators involved in fatal boating accidents in 2023 had no formal boater’s education, according to annual statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Additionally, alcohol or drug use contributed to approximately 23% of boating fatalities.
In 2023, Florida recorded 659 reportable boating accidents, resulting in 59 deaths and injuries to 408 others. The previous year saw even higher numbers: 735 reportable accidents, 65 fatalities and 457 injuries. These alarming figures emphasize the high stakes involved in recreational boating.
Despite the clear risks, proper safety precautions are too often overlooked. As summer approaches, and thousands of tourists and locals alike will likely spend their days out on the water, news of catastrophic boating crashes will once again fill the headlines, leaving many to ask the same question: Why does this keep happening?
While there is no single answer, two solutions stand out: education and prevention. Leesfield & Partners is committed to promoting both. The firm actively raises awareness by sharing safety advisories on social media and broadcasting boating safety tips on a digital display outside its Miami office. Located on U.S. 1, one of the city’s busiest highways, this sign reaches thousands of commuters each day.
Throughout decades of practice, our skilled attorneys have witnessed firsthand the tragic aftermath of boating accidents and the immense burden placed on victims and their families. The firm has been recognized nationally for our attorneys’ dedication to achieving justice for those impacted and fighting tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome in every case.
Previous Cases
Leesfield & Partners previously represented a family who lost their daughter when the operator of the boat she was on negligently crashed it into a concrete dock. She was 20. Through an investigation, our attorneys learned that not only was the boat operator speeding the night of the crash, but he had also been drinking.
Over $1 million in a confidential settlement was reached with multiple defendants for the young woman’s family.
The firm secured a substantial settlement for the negligent supervision of boating activities when a minor’s leg had to be amputated following a boating injury.
Leesfield & Partners secured a substantial settlement for a passenger who was injured in a nighttime boat crash. The accident took place because neither operator saw the other boat’s navigational lights, causing a severe collision.
A confidential recovery was obtained on behalf of a family whose son was hit and killed by a negligent, passing boater. The boater in that case, also a child, was operating the boat alone and attempted to cover up evidence and lie to authorities when questioned.
Neighbors testified in that case that the minor boater regularly operated the vessel recklessly.
A boating accident involving a jet ski previously handled by the firm resulted in a $935,000 recovery.
In a boating case involving a foreign resort, Leesfield & Partners attorneys secured $800,000 for the injured client.
Recently, Trial Lawyer Bernardo Pimentel II secured a settlement on behalf of a family whose loved one was killed by a negligent law enforcement officer while lobster diving. The officer in that case did not adhere to divers-down flag laws.
Boating Safety Tips
While no amount of preparation can guarantee that you or your family will avoid an emergency on the water, proper education and preparedness can significantly improve your chances of staying safe. Below are several boating safety tips that are intended as general safety guidelines. For complete and the most up-to-date information, always consult with licensed boating instructors, or certified marine safety professionals.
- Never drink and boat.
- Never go out boating without telling someone what area you are headed to and when they can expect you to be back. This is so that, in case of an emergency, someone will know that you did not return and can give rescue teams an area to begin searching for you.
- Take a boating education course
- Carry life vests approved by the Coast Guard for every person on board. Children should wear a life vest at all times when on a boat.
- Take advantage of free annual boat inspections offered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Never drink and boat
- Keep necessary emergency kits on board that include essential items like flare guns, fire extinguishers and first-aid kits.
- Never let children operate a vessel or personal watercraft.
- Always take a certified boating safety course and consult licensed boating professionals for complete, up-to-date information before heading out.