Thirty-two people ended up needing rescue when their 63-foot boat started taking on water near Miami Beach yesterday. As reported by CBS News Miami, the incident occurred around 5:05 p.m. near 22 Star Island Dr. and Flagler Monument Island. A fleet of first responders, included Marine Patrol units from Miami Beach Police, and partners like the U.S. Coast Guard and the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, coordinated the rescue effort.
The yacht, described by some at the scene as a "Lamborghini vessel," was witnessed sticking "straight up" in the water, an unsettling sight according to witness Rachael Miller, who told CBS News Miami, “We were just on the boat and we saw a bunch of cops, police boats, and there was another yacht that was flipped over completely vertically in the water.” Despite the dramatic scene, all passengers were reported safe with no injuries according to both a post from the U.S. Coast Guard on X and authorities.
#Breaking #SAR 🛟 A @USCG Sta #MiamiBeach crew & partner agencies responded to a 63-ft vessel taking on water near Monument Island rescuing 32 people w/no injuries reported around 5 p.m., Sat. Commercial salvage is working to recover the vessel & isn't a hazard to navigation. pic.twitter.com/tCds8Kp0SU
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 4, 2025
Those rescued were dropped off at the Miami Beach Marina, where they were checked out by Miami Beach Fire Rescue. Footage taken by witnesses and those rescued showed the urgency of the situation, with some of the passengers documenting their ordeal on their phones. According to WSVN, one passenger's social media video captured dozens of people in life vests being evacuated with a caption reading, “Everyone’s safe.”
The official cause of the yacht's sinking has not yet been determined, but the Coast Guard stated that the vessel was moved out of the channel and posed no threat to navigation.
