Boating Accidents on the Rise in South Florida
Peak Boating Season Brings Concern for First Responders
First responders say peak boating season in South Florida only recently got underway, and already they are concerned about the number of accidents, injuries, and deaths on the water.
A Growing Concern for Firefighters
Miami-Dade firefighter Meric Tendrich works on the department’s fireboats, which respond to dangerous calls on South Florida’s waterways. "I’m born and raised here, and I’ve never seen so many boats out on the water," he said. "There’s many accidents that are happening, drownings… and we are just trying to do our best to prevent all these things from happening."
Boating Accidents by County
Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tracks boating accidents throughout the state. According to the agency’s Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report for 2023, the numbers were:
- Miami-Dade: 61 accidents, 7 deaths, and 21 accidents with injuries
- Monroe: 87 accidents, 3 deaths, and 39 accidents with injuries
- Broward: 26 accidents, no deaths, and 8 accidents with injuries
Updated Numbers for 2024 (January-May 21)
NBC6 Investigators obtained preliminary data from the FWC for 2024, which represents cases being investigated currently and are not final numbers. Monroe County reported the highest number of accidents across the state. Here’s the breakdown:
- Miami-Dade: 54 accidents, 5 deaths, and 19 accidents with injuries
- Monroe: 64 accidents, 6 deaths, and 12 accidents with injuries
- Broward: 23 accidents, no deaths, and 3 accidents with injuries
Deadly Accidents Rock South Florida
NBC6 has covered several recent boating incidents involving serious injuries or deaths. In February, several people were injured in a crash between a tour boat and a private charter. In March, a man drowned in the Miami River after falling overboard from a charter boat. In April, two men died near Elliot Key after a crash between their motorboat and a large yacht. And in May, 15-year-old Ella Adler was killed in the water near Key Biscayne after a boat struck her.
Certification Process for Fireboat Crews
To work on the department’s fireboats, candidates are required to undergo a rigorous certification process. They must conduct nighttime dives, simulating rescue scenarios such as a baby overboard with little to no visibility in the dark water. They also have to conduct swimming rescue operations in challenging conditions, against the current.
Conclusion
Boating accidents are a growing concern for first responders in South Florida, who are working to prevent these incidents from occurring. Data from the FWC shows that boating crashes are the number one cause of boating accidents, followed by people falling to the water or boats crashing into obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the primary cause of boating accidents in Florida?
A: Boating crashes are the number one cause of boating accidents in Florida, according to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Q: How many accidents have been reported in 2024?
A: According to preliminary data, there have been 141 accidents reported in Miami-Dade, 64 in Monroe, and 23 in Broward, as of January 21, 2024.
Q: What is being done to prevent boating accidents?
A: Fireboat crews are working to educate boaters on water safety and keep a lookout for other boaters or hazards, according to Meric Tendrich, a Miami-Dade firefighter.
