Full Breakdown
Possible Boat Explosion Near Haulover Sandbar Injures Dozens
5/11/2026, 12:18:42 AM
Background: Haulover Sandbar as a Crowded Boating Hub
Haulover Sandbar, a shallow, clear-water area in Biscayne Bay north of Miami Beach, draws large weekend crowds for swimming, kayaking, and party-style boating. The sandbar lies west of Haulover Beach Marina and near the Haulover Marine Center, making it a frequent launch point for charter vessels.
Timeline of the May 9 Incident
- 12:30 p.m.–12:50 p.m. – Dispatch received reports of a possible explosion aboard a charter boat near the sandbar.
- ?12:45 p.m. – More than 25 units—including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC), Ocean Rescue, and Air Rescue—arrived on scene.
- Shortly after arrival – First responders found multiple victims, some in the water, and escalated the event to a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident.
- ?12:55 p.m. – Eleven patients were transported to local hospitals; additional patients were treated on-scene.
- ?6 p.m. – The vessel was towed from the dock near the marine center.
Injuries, Vessel, and Response Data
- Injured persons – Official counts list 11 hospitalized patients; earlier reports cited 13–15 injured, creating a discrepancy. Injuries include burns (including second-degree burns on multiple body parts) and traumatic injuries; at least one pediatric patient suffered burns over ~18 % of the body, and one adult had burns covering >30 % of the body.
- Vessel – Identified as a Press Cruiser 400 Express, a 40-foot cabin cruiser registered in Sherman, Texas, named “Nauti Nabor” (or “Nauti Nabors” in some reports).
- Response – Over 25 emergency units responded; the incident was classified as a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident, prompting additional resources and on-scene medical triage.
Official Statements from Emergency Agencies
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Juan Arias reported that injuries stemmed from burns and some traumatic injuries, and that the cause of the blast remained under investigation. FWC spokeswoman Melissa Brevik said preliminary information indicated a charter vessel experienced an on-board explosion, but no definitive cause had been confirmed. Fire officials reminded the public to ensure vessels carry working fire extinguishers, conduct thorough safety checks, and have experienced operators on board.
Witness Accounts and Safety Concerns
Local charter captain Patrick Lee described seeing three people propelled from the boat amid a puff of smoke and noted extensive burns consistent with high-octane gasoline. He also alleged that the captain failed to open hatches or activate blowers before ignition, a practice he said “many rookie captains don’t” follow. Captain Leo characterized the event as “the scariest moment of my life,” attributing it to a possible gas leak during startup. Anthony Torres recounted his wife Adriana Rojas’s second-degree burns across multiple body regions.
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
- Injury count – Sources vary between 11, 13, and 15 injured, with official hospital transports listed at 11.
- Cause of explosion – Witnesses suggest a gas leak and procedural errors, while agencies have not confirmed any specific trigger.
- Vessel name – Reports differ on the exact registration name (“Nauti Nabor” vs. “Nauti Nabors”).
- Explosion confirmation – Some outlets state the blast was not definitively verified as an explosion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We saw three people fly out of the boat,” — Patrick Lee, local boat charter captain
- “People got on board, and he turned the key and didn’t open the hatches, didn’t turn on the blowers, and he blew people out of the boat,” — Patrick Lee, boat charter captain
- “It was the worst experience of my life,” — Captain Leo, boat captain
- “She has got second-degree burns all throughout her legs, her buttocks, her chest, her left arm, and the left side of her body,” — Anthony Torres, husband of injured passenger
- “Injuries were from burn injuries to some traumatic injuries as well,” — Juan Arias, Battalion Chief, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
What’s Next: Ongoing Investigation and Safety Recommendations
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, continues to investigate the blast’s origin, focusing on possible fuel or gas leaks and compliance with safety protocols. Authorities have urged boaters to perform pre-departure checks, maintain functional fire extinguishers, and ensure experienced operators are present to mitigate future incidents.
