During the Memorial Day holiday, Florida experienced two separate boating incidents that resulted in multiple injuries and an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.
In Fort Lauderdale, a boat explosion near the Lauderdale Yacht Club left nearly a dozen people hospitalized, including two children. According to Fire Department officials, the vessel was anchored to a sandbar, and the explosion occurred when someone tried to start it. A dog was also on the boat but suffered no injuries. The victims were transported to a Miami hospital burn unit for specialized care.
In another incident near Palm Beach, a 48-foot yacht caught fire and sank, prompting the Coast, Guard to rescue three passengers. While no injuries were reported in the second incident, the cause of the fire is under investigation. Both events have led to heightened awareness of maritime safety and the need for vigilance during holiday boating activities.