A tragic collision between a small sailboat and a large barge in Miami’s Biscayne Bay has left three children dead and a community devastated. The July 28 crash occurred during a youth summer sailing camp operated by the Miami Yacht Club, when a 17-foot sailboat carrying five girls and a 19-year-old counselor was struck by a 60-foot barge pushed by a tugboat.
Among the victims were 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich of Argentina, granddaughter of well-known media producers, and 13-year-old Erin Ko Han, a Chilean national. Both drowned shortly after the impact. Ten-year-old Arielle Buchman, critically injured in the collision, succumbed to her injuries nearly a week later. A fourth child, 7-year-old Kena Gruber, was released from the hospital Monday following a long recovery after being trapped beneath the barge. The remaining camper and the counselor were treated at the scene.
Authorities have confirmed that all children were wearing life jackets, but the violent collision left little opportunity for escape. Bystanders describe a scene like something out of a nightmare, with children tossed into the water while crying for help as they were dragged beneath the barge’s crane.
The Coast Guard is working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission as well as local agencies to investigate this devastating accident. Authorities have confirmed that all toxicology tests for the operators of the vessell have returned negative, leaving no explaination other than operator error or visibility issues with the craft.
Maritime attorney Justin Shapiro, representing the family of survivor Kena Gruber, suggested that both vessels failed in their duties to avoid the collision. “For two slow-moving vessels to crash in this way is almost unthinkable,” he said. “We believe there were catastrophic failures in maintaining a proper lookout and taking evasive action.”
Navigation rules require both powered and sail vessels to take all necessary actions to avoid collisions, even in scenarios where one has the technical right-of-way. That barge, operating under restricted mobility, may have had limited maneuverability, but investigators are probing whether a better lookout or course correction might have prevented the tragedy.
The Coast Guard has invited participation from Argentine and Chilean maritime authorities, reflecting the international scope of the victims’ families. They hope to use photos and video footage from the day to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The Miami Yacht Club has suspended its youth sailing program. In a statement, the club expressed “profound heartbreak” and emphasized its support for the families affected. The camp was in its final week, and many of the children were experiencing sailing for the first time.
For families like that of Arielle Buchman, whose funeral was held Sunday on Tisha B’Av—the Jewish day of mourning—the loss is immeasurable. “Our hearts continue to mourn,” said Coast Guard Capt. Frank Florio. “We owe these families answers, and we will not forget.”
