A tugboat operator in Miami Beach has been charged with seaman’s manslaughter following a tragic boating incident that occurred on 28 July 2025, resulting in the deaths of three young girls. Yusiel Insua, 46, has been accused of being distracted by his mobile phone during the collision, according to court assessments.
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The incident unfolded when Insua was piloting a 108-foot tugboat, chartered for transporting construction debris to Di Lido Island across Biscayne Bay. It is claimed that as the tugboat approached, it struck a sailboat carrying students from a local sailing programme. This particular boat had stalled due to lack of wind, posing a stationary hazard on the waterway.
Prosecutors allege that during his navigation, Insua was actively using his phone to access online marketplaces. Court records reportedly indicate that his phone was unlocked in the moments leading up to and during the collision. The legal documents emphasised that Insua had failed to employ necessary safety measures, such as radar or cameras, to compensate for limited visibility caused by a crane obstructing his view from the pilothouse.
The collision resulted in the immediate deaths of two of the three victims on the scene: Mila Yankelevich, aged seven, and Erin Ko, aged thirteen. The third victim, ten-year-old Arielle Bucham, survived initially but tragically succumbed to her injuries two days later, on 30 July. Autopsies conducted by the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that all three girls drowned.
As part of the investigation, it was revealed that Insua, who reportedly has around 12 years of experience operating vessels, did not adjust his course prior to the impact. Court filings asserted that he should have been aware of the limitations in visibility due to the configuration of the tugboat, which made it difficult to see vessels or obstacles directly in front. Insua’s failure to take appropriate precautions, despite his experience, has been a focal point for the prosecution.
In light of the charges against him, Insua is facing a maximum prison sentence of ten years, along with potential fines amounting to $250,000 if convicted. His case has attracted considerable media attention, given the heart-wrenching nature of the incident and the severe consequences of alleged negligence on the waterways.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Reding Quiñones, expressed condolences to the families of the victims. He described the incident as a preventable tragedy stemming from a failure to adhere to basic maritime safety protocols, particularly the risks associated with mobile phone use while navigating a vessel.
The legal proceedings are expected to draw significant scrutiny, as they address both the implications of distracted navigation and the tragic loss of life that can arise from such actions. Insua’s charges will also likely raise discussions about improved safety measures to protect individuals on the water, especially in high-traffic areas.
As the community mourns the loss of the girls, there is a growing call for greater accountability and reform regarding maritime safety standards to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The case remains under investigation, and further updates are anticipated as the legal process unfolds.