Tugboat Captain Pleads Guilty to Seaman’s Manslaughter in Fatal Biscayne Bay Collision

MIAMI - A tugboat captain has pleaded guilty to federal charges after operating a barge with obstructed visibility and without a proper lookout, causing a fatal Biscayne Bay collision that claimed the lives of three children participating in a sailing camp.

"Three children lost their lives in a tragedy that never should have happened," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "Yusiel Lopez Insua operated a tugboat pushing a massive barge with an obstructed view, failed to assign a lookout, and engaged in cellphone activity while underway. He admitted that his criminal failure to follow basic maritime safety rules caused this deadly collision. Our hearts remain with the children's families and everyone whose lives were forever changed that day."

"The tragic loss of life in this case is a solemn reminder of why the U.S. Coast Guard stands the watch every day. From inspections and investigations to search and rescue, education and outreach, and partnerships across all levels of government, our mission is clear: to ensure every vessel operating in our waters is safe, legal, and prepared. We remain committed to the highest standards of maritime safety so we can prevent future tragedies and protect the people and communities who rely on our waterways" said Capt. Frank J. Florio, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Sector Miami.

"This case demonstrates the critical importance of strong partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies," said Special Agent in Charge Joshua Packer of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Southeast Region. "By working together, we were able to bring accountability and justice in this tragic case. Our collective efforts reflect our shared commitment to protecting lives on our nation's waterways."

According to court records, Yusiel Lopez Insua, 46, of Miami, was piloting a 25-foot tugboat pushing a construction barge measuring 108 feet long, 28 feet wide, and 149 gross tons across Biscayne Bay on July 28, 2025. The barge, loaded with construction debris, had its forward view obstructed by a deckhouse and crane, and no crewmember had been assigned to serve as a lookout.

At the same time, a sailboat carrying one counselor and five children from a nearby sailing camp lost wind and stalled in the tugboat's path. Because Insua's forward visibility was obstructed and no lookout had been assigned, he failed to see the stalled sailboat before the barge ran over it, submerging the sailboat beneath the barge's hull.

A forensic review of Insua's cellphone revealed internet activity while the tugboat was underway, including at or near the time of the collision.

The counselor and two children escaped after being dragged beneath the barge. Three children became trapped beneath the wreckage and drowned.

Insua pleaded guilty to seaman's manslaughter. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

CGIS, Southeast Region; USCG, Sector Miami; and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are investigating the case. U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones commends the valiant rescue efforts of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, the Miami Police Department, and the Miami Beach Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Gilfarb and Daniel Rosenfeld, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl, are prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case number 26-cr-20122.

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