Florida Construction News staff writer
A barge that collided with a sailboat near Miami Beach on Monday, killing two girls was supporting construction work in the area at the time of the crash, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed Tuesday.
Five girls were on the sailboat with a teenage instructor as part of a summer camp group when the vessel was struck. Two children are in critical condition in hospital. A 19-year-old instructor and a 12-year-old girl were not injured.
Both the sailboat and barge were removed from the scene near Hibiscus Island as investigators continued to examine the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
Capt. Frank Florio III, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Miami, said during a press conference that alcohol and chemical testing had been completed on the barge captain. The test, which included a blood draw, is part of the ongoing investigation. Results are pending, and no arrest has been made.
Officials also said they are looking into whether the barge crew was properly licensed to operate in Biscayne Bay.
The Coast Guard received notification of the crash from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue at about 11 a.m. Monday. Emergency responders from Miami Beach Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach were all dispatched to the scene. All six individuals aboard the sailboat were recovered from the water.
Two of the girls were pronounced dead after being transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital. One of the victims was reported to be the granddaughter of a well-known television producer.
“Our hearts are with the families of those lost and all who have been affected by this tragedy,” Florio said. “The Coast Guard will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the causal factors and identify steps to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
A Coast Guard small boat crew established a 250-yard safety zone around the site following the crash. The Coast Guard, in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is leading the investigation.
