Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received notification from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue of a vessel collision between a sailboat and barge on July 28, reporting that six people entered the water near Hibiscus Island in Biscayne Bay near Miami.
Miami Beach Fire Rescue crews were first on scene, then later joined by Miami-Dade Fire rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach. All six people were recovered. Two of the six people were declared deceased upon arrival to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
A Coast Guard small boat crew arrived on scene to provide a safety zone. At this time, the sailing vessel remains submerged under the barge and Sector Miami is maintaining a 250-yard safety zone.
It was later reported that deceased are a 7-year-old female and 13-year-old female. In critical condition are an 8-year-old female and an 11-year-old female. Rescued were a 12-year-old female and a 19-year-old female. An adult woman who was working as a camp counselor on the boat was in stable condition and did not go to the hospital. They were all a part of a summer sailing program.