A person went missing from a personal watercraft near the Rickenbacker Causeway on Thursday, setting off a search. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews were responding to reports of a rider who disappeared from the watercraft, and authorities said a search was underway near the causeway Thursday.
Aerial footage captured by NBC 6 South Florida showed Miami Fire Rescue and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office both taking part in the search, with boats from multiple agencies combing the surrounding waters. Beyond confirming the search was active, authorities had provided no other information as of the station's report, and NBC 6 advised readers to check back for updates as the situation develops.
Other Emergencies in Biscayne Bay
Biscayne Bay has seen other water-related emergencies.
Earlier that year, 23-year-old Akin Liverpool went missing during a charter boat trip in Biscayne Bay between Hobie Beach and the Miami River. A multi-agency search followed before passing boaters located his body south of Brickell Key two days later, according to Leesfield & Partners. Hobie Beach was the planned departure point for the charter trip.
The corridor's history includes an even higher-profile tragedy. 25-year-old Major League Soccer player Anton Walkes died after the Yamaha personal watercraft he was riding made contact with a Scarab cabin boat in Biscayne Bay just north of the Rickenbacker Causeway, according to WCNC. Walkes was found unconscious in the water and later died at a hospital.
Who Responds When Someone Goes Missing on the Bay
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Marine Services Bureau maintains specialized fireboats, while its Dive Rescue Bureau oversees more than 450 SCUBA Rescue Authorized divers trained for water search-and-rescue operations across the county's coastal waters and Biscayne Bay, per Miami-Dade County. The fireboats respond with local, state and federal maritime partners when requested.
Florida Boating Accidents in 2025
Statewide, Florida logged 694 total boating accidents in 2025, state wildlife officials reported.
No further details on Thursday's missing rider had been released as the search continued. Hoodline will update this story as more information becomes available.
