Haulover Sandbar Blast Injures 11, Hits Wynwood Boaters

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY — Eleven people suffered burns and traumatic injuries after a 40-foot charter boat exploded near Haulover Sandbar in Biscayne Bay around 12:50 p.m. Saturday, prompting a massive response from over 25 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units, the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers. Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Juan Arias confirmed the injuries via dispatch audio, with patients transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, including the Miami Burn Center. At least one pediatric patient was among the injured, one adult with over 30% body burns and a child with more than 18%, according to scanner reports cited in Miami Herald coverage of official audio logs. Patrick Lee, a Tiki boat captain with over 50 years of experience shuttling visitors from near Bal Harbour, witnessed the blast. 'He turned the key, didn’t open the hatches, and didn’t turn on the blowers — he blew people out of the boat,' Lee told the Miami Herald, theorizing a gas fume buildup ignited by the engine spark. FWC spokeswoman Melissa Brevik stated the cause remains under investigation, describing it as an explosion on a charter vessel carrying passengers. The boat captain was unharmed, and the vessel was later tied up near Haulover Inlet for examination. Wynwood residents, a short 15-minute drive via I-95 to the sandbar popular for weekend escapes, were among those affected. Local boaters frequent the area from ramps like Haulover Park, making the incident a stark reminder for Miami-Dade boat owners. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue issued a safety advisory post-incident: 'Make sure your vessel is equipped with a working fire extinguisher and all required safety equipment. Before departure, perform a thorough safety check.' The blast aligns with heightened public safety concerns in South Florida, amid trending issues like urban crime spikes and severe weather threats, including a tropical depression forming in the Gulf. As Florida's unemployment hits 2.8% with tourism booming, officials urge vigilance on the water to sustain the state's coastal resilience.