Boating accident off Miami leaves one person dead, disrupts cruise traffic in PortMiami – Sun Sentinel

June 25, 2023 Admin

An early morning boat crash Sunday resulted in the death of one boater and left another seriously injured.

The resulting investigation prompted the Coast Guard to enforce a “safety zone” at PortMiami, with cruise traffic halted.

The Coast Guard said Sunday the restriction is to support crews who are clearing the channel of the obstruction from the fatal collision near Government Cut.

By early afternoon, the Coast Guard said it had authorized the reopening of the south channel “to resume maritime transportation system operations into Port Miami.” The north channel remained closed.

The port, in a separate statement on Twitter, said the closure of the PortMiami channel was affecting arrival and debarkation of passengers on Carnival Celebration, MSC Seascape and NCL Escape.

And it will have spillover effects on Sunday afternoon departures. The port advised people to contact cruise lines.

This is what the cruise line told Carnival Celebration passengers in a Sunday afternoon text:

“We remain in touch with port officials. Salvage crews are working to remove the accident vessel from the channel. We do not know when the process will be completed, but the ship is in position to head into the port once we are cleared to do so,” Carnival said. “Please do not proceed to the cruise terminal until you receive our final update. This is not the way we expected to start your cruise, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.”

Carnival said it hoped to further update passengers by 3 p.m.

PortMiami advised Carnival cruise passengers to text “CCL3” to CRUISE (278473) for information. The port said the number for MSC is 833-578-6488 and NCL is 866-234-7350.

#Update 2 @USCG Captain of the Port authorized reopening the South channel to resume maritime transportation system operations into @PortMiami while the North channel remains closed as crews continue efforts to remove the sunken obstruction. @MyFWC @MiamiDadeFire @MiamiDadeCounty

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 25, 2023

A port spokesperson said the closure is disrupting travel plans for about 33,000 people, the Miami Herald reported. A spokesperson for Miami International Airport told the Herald that airlines were notified of the situation at the port, and rebooking fees are being waived for cruise passengers who can’t make their flights.

At about 3:40 a.m., Miami-Fire Rescue was notified of the collision between a 30- to 32-foot boat and the Fisher Island Ferry that transports people and vehicles between Fisher Island and Miami Beach, an agency spokesperson told local TV stations.

The exclusive island is accessible only by boat.

Workers on the ferry pulled one man out of the water. He was taken to Ryder Trauma Center. On his way to the hospital, the injured victim said his friend was on the boat and missing, said Public Information Officer Pete Sanchez.

Divers began searching for the second man, who was found dead, Sanchez said.