Third Child DIES From Barge Horror Crash

A third young girl has died from injuries sustained when a commercial barge struck a Miami sailing camp boat, bringing the death toll to three children in what has become one of the most heartbreaking maritime tragedies involving youth activities in recent memory.

Story Highlights

10-year-old Arielle Mazi Buchman died six days after the July 28 collision in Biscayne Bay
Three girls aged 7, 10, and 13 have now perished from the sailing camp tragedy
U.S. Coast Guard investigation continues with international cooperation from Argentina and Chile
No evidence of alcohol or drug involvement found in preliminary testing of vessel operators

Third Victim Succumbs to Critical Injuries

Arielle Mazi Buchman, 10, died on August 3 at Jackson Memorial Hospital after fighting for her life for nearly a week following the devastating collision. The Coast Guard confirmed her death with heavy hearts, marking the third fatality in an incident that has shaken the Miami boating community to its core. Two other girls, Mila Yankelevich, 7, and Erin Victoria Ko Han, 13, died shortly after the initial crash on July 28.

The tragedy occurred between Monument and Hibiscus Islands in Biscayne Bay when a commercial barge collided with a small sailboat carrying five children and their 19-year-old instructor from the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation camp. All six individuals were thrown into the water when the sailboat was pulled under the massive barge during what should have been a routine sailing lesson.

Investigation Reveals No Substance Impairment

Coast Guard investigators have confirmed that preliminary alcohol and drug tests for both vessel operators came back negative, ruling out substance impairment as a factor in the collision. This finding shifts the focus of the investigation toward other potential causes, including visibility conditions, navigation protocols, and communication between the vessels in the busy waterway.

The complexity of this case has drawn international attention, with maritime authorities from Argentina and Chile participating in the investigation due to the victims’ backgrounds. Captain Frank Florio of Coast Guard Sector Miami continues to lead the comprehensive investigation, which examines all aspects of vessel operations and safety protocols in the shared waterway.

Survivors Face Long Recovery Amid Community Grief

Two other children, ages 8 and 12, along with their teenage instructor, survived the collision but faced critical injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. The Miami Yacht Club and Miami Youth Sailing Foundation have rallied around the affected families, providing support while conducting their own internal review of safety procedures.

The sailing camp was in its final week when tragedy struck, transforming what should have been a celebration of newfound maritime skills into an unimaginable nightmare for families who trusted these institutions with their children’s safety. The incident has prompted serious questions about how commercial vessel traffic and youth recreational activities can safely coexist in busy waterways like Biscayne Bay.

Broader Implications for Youth Maritime Safety

This tragedy exposes critical gaps in our approach to waterway safety, particularly when it comes to protecting children engaged in supervised recreational activities. The fact that a routine sailing lesson could end in such devastating loss of young life demands immediate attention from both regulatory authorities and the maritime industry as a whole.

While the investigation continues, this incident will likely prompt calls for stricter separation of commercial and recreational vessel traffic, enhanced communication protocols, and possibly designated safe zones for youth sailing programs. The loss of these three innocent lives must serve as a catalyst for meaningful reform that prevents future tragedies while preserving the valuable tradition of youth maritime education that has served our communities for generations.