A luxury yacht carrying more than 30 social media influencers capsized near Miami Beach on Saturday, May 3, after it began taking on water close to Monument Island. The shocking scene drew attention both on the water and across social media, where passengers posted videos of the chaos as it unfolded.
Yacht Begins to Sink Near Monument Island
Around 5 p.m. local time, the U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies responded to distress calls from a 63-foot yacht in trouble. The vessel, reportedly described in dispatch calls as a “Lamborghini boat,” started sinking rapidly, tipping over until it stood nearly vertical in the water.
The Coast Guard’s southeastern division confirmed that multiple agencies, including the Miami Beach Police Marine Patrol and civilian boaters, worked together to safely evacuate all 32 passengers onboard. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Influencers Document the Sinking in Real Time
As the yacht took on water, many passengers began recording the incident and posting it on social media. Videos showed water rushing into the lower deck while people scrambled to grab valuables like phones, laptops, and bags. One voice can be heard joking, “Women and children first,” as others tried to save luxury items.
Witness Rachael Miller, who saw the incident from another boat, described the sight as alarming. “It was vertical. It was straight up in the water. It definitely didn’t look ordinary,” she told CBS News Miami.
Another onlooker, Bruce Maresh, shared his disbelief, saying, “Something in the distance… it appeared at an angle. The closer we got, you could tell it was a big boat. I couldn’t believe it.”
All Passengers Safely Brought to Shore
After the dramatic rescue, the 32 passengers were safely transported to the Miami Beach Marina. Local law enforcement confirmed that a passerby’s boat also helped with the evacuation, ensuring that everyone got to shore safely.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the accident. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation to determine what went wrong. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard has stated that the wrecked vessel is being salvaged and does not currently pose a danger to other boats in the area.
At this time, it’s also unclear who owns the luxury vessel, which was referred to as a Lamborghini-branded yacht in dispatch recordings. These high-end boats are known for their sleek design and massive price tags.