Latest news with #SeaRay
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Boats are bursting into flames in South Florida. How common is this?
Last week, two boats in Fort Lauderdale went up in flames. Friday, six boats were charred at a Sunny Isles Beach dock. READ MORE: Boat engulfed in flames ignites several vessels at Sunny Isles dock: fire rescue So, you've got to be wondering: Do Florida boaters have no clue how to operate a vessel or is this just a random twist of fate? As it turns out, boats going up in flames is not uncommon in a state that is saturated with boats, statistics show. While the number of boat fires are trending higher in Fort Lauderdale — the site of another explosion in December, killing a boater who was fueling up at Lauderdale Marina — statewide, they've actually decreased over the past five years, according to vessel accidents' data compiled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says So far, in Fort Lauderdale this year, there have been six boat fires, the city's Fire Rescue department said. The department's spokesman, Frank Guzman, noted that 'not all these vessel fires had significant damage.' Last year, there were 15 boat fires in Fort Lauderdale, up from four in 2021, with 11 each in 2022 and 2023, Guzman said. Florida has more registered boats than any other state Florida averages about 35 boat fires a year, according to the FWC, which notes in its latest annual report that the state also has more than 1 million registered vessels for recreation, making it 'the undisputed 'Boating Capital of the World.'' (Michigan has the second-most boat owners.) Over the past five years, boat fire numbers have fluctuated in the state, with 41 in 2020, 37 in 2021, 33 in 2022, and 30 in 2023, the latest data available, the FWC said. Out of the 685 reportable boat accidents in Florida in 2024, 33 stemmed from fires, 17 involving fuel and 16 caused by other factors. The majority of boat accidents in Florida — 209 — involved vessels hitting fixed objects, according to the FWC. Gas vapors likely cause of Sea Ray explosion Fuel was likely the cause of the explosion of a 39-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser in the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Out of the 15 people on board when a fireball shot out from inside the boat, 11 were hospitalized. The operator of the boat, 29-year-old Joshua Fifi, died days later at the hospital. READ MORE: Father of four dies after Memorial Day boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale Fire officials said the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors and ignition is under investigation. It was like 'a fireball,' Guzman said. Boat safety tips Boating experts stress that boaters must open their engine compartment and turn on the blower fan before starting a boat. The fan, which removes gas fumes or any accumulated gasoline, should be run for three to five minutes. Boats have ventilation switches on the dash panel that should be switched on every time a boat is used. And, they add, boaters should take a sniff test and smell for any signs of gas vapors before starting a boat. READ MORE: Two boats exploded off Fort Lauderdale within 5 months. Tips to avoid a similar fate The FWC is still investigating the cause of a 30-foot boat that went up in flames just off the beach in Fort Lauderdale two days later. There was one person on board, who jumped off the vessel and swam to shore before paramedics took him to the hospital to be treated for injuries. There have also been damaging boat fires in other parts of South Florida, the most recent a blaze that ended up burning up six boats, including a 90-foot vessel, at a Sunny Isles Beach condominium dock early Friday morning. No one was injured in the fire, which was triggered by one boat going up in flames and the blaze spreading to five other boats. Authorities are investigating. Boat fire off Jupiter The same day the Sea Ray exploded in Fort Lauderdale, a 48-foot fishing yacht caught fire off Jupiter Inlet. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Three people were on board the vessel when it caught fire, the Coast Guard said in a statement on X. They were rescued by other boaters in the area who responded to the scene. No one was hurt, according to the Coast Guard. And, a May 14 fire at a Tavernier boat yard in the Florida Keys badly damaged several vessels that were dry docked, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘I'm in the water.' 911 calls reveal moments after deadly Broward boat explosion
A flurry of newly released 911 calls shed light on a chaotic and fatal boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Some callers witnessed watching the blast from the shore; others were in the water screaming for help. On May 26, a 39-foot Sea Ray burst into flames in the Intracoastal Waterway, near the large sandbar by the New River. Fourteen people were aboard, but only eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Among the injured, Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived in Fort Lauderdale, died from his injuries. One of the first 911 callers witnessed the blast from the Lauderdale Yacht Club and described the loud explosion, followed by flames and billowing smoke, according to the latest release from Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 'These people flew off the boat,' he said in the call. 'I just saw these people panicking and in the water.' Another caller on a different vessel reported that people were jumping off the sinking boat to the dispatcher. She also began screaming over to them, 'Get off the boat!' One call began with screams and crying, followed by a woman desperately telling dispatchers, 'I'm in the water.' The woman continued to say there was a 'marine emergency' as a boat was on fire. Of those on board, she said there was a passed-out passenger and a pet. 'We're all separated,' she said, adding that nearby boaters were helping them as several people had been burned. 'We have kids on board.'
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- General
- Miami Herald
‘I'm in the water.' 911 calls reveal moments after deadly Broward boat explosion
A flurry of newly released 911 calls shed light on a chaotic and fatal boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Some callers witnessed watching the blast from the shore; others were in the water screaming for help. On May 26, a 39-foot Sea Ray burst into flames in the Intracoastal Waterway, near the large sandbar by the New River. Fourteen people were aboard, but only eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Among the injured, Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived in Fort Lauderdale, died from his injuries. One of the first 911 callers witnessed the blast from the Lauderdale Yacht Club and described the loud explosion, followed by flames and billowing smoke, according to the latest release from Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 'These people flew off the boat,' he said in the call. 'I just saw these people panicking and in the water.' Another caller on a different vessel reported that people were jumping off the sinking boat to the dispatcher. She also began screaming over to them, 'Get off the boat!' One call began with screams and crying, followed by a woman desperately telling dispatchers, 'I'm in the water.' The woman continued to say there was a 'marine emergency' as a boat was on fire. Of those on board, she said there was a passed-out passenger and a pet. 'We're all separated,' she said, adding that nearby boaters were helping them as several people had been burned. 'We have kids on board.'
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man who died after Fort Lauderdale boat explosion operated the vessel, FWC says
A father of four died from his injuries after a boat he was driving exploded off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day, the man's loved ones announced in a GoFundMe fundraiser. Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived Fort Lauderdale, was identified as the man who died after the blast, according to the fundraiser page. The fundraiser, organized by Hannah Galindo, said Fifi's 'sudden passing has left his family, friends, and community in shock and grief.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state police agency investigating the incident, released a statement Monday night saying Fifi was the operator of the 39-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser. He was driving the vessel north in the Intracoastal Waterway shortly after refueling around 5:45 p.m. when he tried starting the port, or left side, inboard engine and the boat exploded, according to the FWC statement. Fifi was one of the 14 people on board the vessel, which was near the large sandbar by the New River when the flash explosion occurred. Eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. 'Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Fifi during this difficult time,' the FWC said in its statement. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Fire officials say the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors and ignition is under investigation. Fifi's family hopes to raise $11,000 to cover Fifi's funeral and support his four children. 'Joshua was just beginning a new chapter in life,' the page said. 'He was known for his sense of humor, his easygoing spirit, and the way he could make people laugh even on the hardest days. He was someone people could count on, and now, we're coming together to support him one last time.' READ MORE: Two boats exploded off Fort Lauderdale within 5 months. Tips to avoid a similar fate
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Man who died after Fort Lauderdale boat explosion operated the vessel, FWC says
A father of four died from his injuries after a boat he was driving exploded off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day, the man's loved ones announced in a GoFundMe fundraiser. Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived Fort Lauderdale, was identified as the man who died after the blast, according to the fundraiser page. The fundraiser, organized by Hannah Galindo, said Fifi's 'sudden passing has left his family, friends, and community in shock and grief.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state police agency investigating the incident, released a statement Monday night saying Fifi was the operator of the 39-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser. He was driving the vessel north in the Intracoastal Waterway shortly after refueling around 5:45 p.m. when he tried starting the port, or left side, inboard engine and the boat exploded, according to the FWC statement. Fifi was one of the 14 people on board the vessel, which was near the large sandbar by the New River when the flash explosion occurred. Eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. 'Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr. Fifi during this difficult time,' the FWC said in its statement. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Fire officials say the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors and ignition is under investigation. Fifi's family hopes to raise $11,000 to cover Fifi's funeral and support his four children. 'Joshua was just beginning a new chapter in life,' the page said. 'He was known for his sense of humor, his easygoing spirit, and the way he could make people laugh even on the hardest days. He was someone people could count on, and now, we're coming together to support him one last time.' READ MORE: Two boats exploded off Fort Lauderdale within 5 months. Tips to avoid a similar fate
