Last month, a tragic boating accident occurred in Biscayne Bay when a tugboat pushed a 60-foot barge straight into a Hobie Getaway. The 17-footer was piloted by a sailing camp counselor with five campers aboard. Three girls, aged seven to 13, lost their lives in the boating disaster.
The Coast Guard is leading the investigation into the collision on the bay. The irony is that the same agency’s regulations contain a loophole that might have factored into the maritime accident.
What is the loophole?
Under present regulations for boating, commercial tugs that are not 26’ don’t require licensed captains to pilot the tug boats. Analyses of the tug’s size indicate that it complies with that regulation.
The deadly accident
Media reports indicate that the girls and their counselor were out on Biscayne Bay on July 28 at approximately 11 a.m. The girls were getting a sailing lesson when their sailboat was struck by the barge, plunging them into the water. At least some of the victims were trapped beneath the barge. The camp counselor, 19, and one camper, 12, survived the wreck and received treatment.
Cause of the fatal crash?
Preliminary reports indicate that the cargo being transported included a large crane situated right in front of the pilot house. That likely prevented the tug pilot’s view of the much smaller watercraft just ahead of the barge. The wreck happened in the waters off Miami Beach between Monument and Hibiscus islands.
These are not just personal injury cases
Any time accidents occur on the waters off the Florida peninsula, maritime law is involved in the claims process. That adds an additional layer of complexity to any injury or wrongful death claim. Learning more about whether maritime law affects your case can guide your next move.