A sleek, 63-foot yacht that nearly sank off Miami Beach on Saturday was packed with social media influencers and had 32 people on board when it started taking on water, officials said.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the boat started taking on water near Monument Island in Biscayne Bay on Saturday afternoon, prompting a search-and-rescue response from its Sector Miami unit.
All 32 people on board were rescued or evacuated without any reported injuries, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg said.
"We were able to get on scene and thankfully get all these people, these 32 individuals, off this vessel taking on water, with no medical concerns reported," he said.
The boat apparently didn't hit bottom. The Coast Guard responders used air bags to raise it and keep it afloat outside boat lanes until its owner makes a decision on its destiny with the help of a salvage company, Strasburg said.
Because multiple social media influencers were on board, the aftermath included plenty of videos. One video shows some of those on the boat maintaining a nonchalant attitude, with one man joking the vessel had hit an iceberg, Titanic-style.
Onlookers on other vessels also captured video of the struggling yacht, which appeared to be sinking stern-first as some of those aboard grabbed onto it bow.
The passenger capacity for the model in question, the Tecnomar Lamborghini 63, varies because it is highly configurable for each buyer: One for sale in the area has a listed capacity of 12; a new one at a dealer in North Miami Beach lists a capacity of 16.
Passenger capacity can also depend on layout, comfort considerations, and whether the boat’s owners prioritize speed. All, however, have 24 tons of capacity, which experts say is generally a better guide for a boat's ability to handle weight.
The Miami Herald reported on Monday that the boat is the same as a 2023 model listed for sale for $4.7 million and featuring a seating capacity of 12.
The listing states the boat is not for sale in U.S. waters to a U.S. resident. It’s not clear why. A contact for the listing said he had no information about the incident and didn’t want to speak.
The publication said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the cause of the incident. A spokesperson for the agency did not immediately respond to a request for more information Monday night.
