Officials Probe Possible Boat Explosion That Injured 11 Near Haulover Sandbar
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and partner agencies are investigating a possible boat explosion near the Haulover sandbar that injured 11 people and sent them to hospitals Saturday around 11:45 a.m. Central.[1]
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said crews responded with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission after a report of the incident.[1] Battalion Chief Juan Arias said crews found multiple patients with burns and other traumatic injuries.[1] He said officials upgraded the response to a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident because of the number of victims and resource needs.[1] Officials said 11 patients were transported to local hospitals and stressed that the cause of the possible explosion and fire remains under investigation and that an explosion has not been confirmed.[1] Patrick Lee, a nearby boat charter operator, told CBS he saw three people "fly out of the boat." CBS He said the vessel became engulfed in flames within minutes after the operator allegedly started the engine without running blowers or opening hatches.[1]
The Miami Herald identified the vessel as a 40-foot Press Cruiser 400 Express cabin cruiser named "Nauti Nabors" from Sherman, Texas.[1] Texas Parks and Wildlife lists the owner as Mark Mihm of Denison, Texas, the Herald reported.[1] CBS also reported the boat was docked near the Haulover Marine Center a few hours after the incident.[1]
Battalion Chief Arias urged boaters to carry radios, life vests and fire extinguishers and to ensure an experienced operator is on board amid high seasonal boat traffic.[1] Officials said the investigation into the cause of the possible explosion and fire is ongoing.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it responded with the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to a report of a possible boat explosion around 11:45 a.m. Central on Saturday, May 9, 2026, as first reported by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
- MDFR Battalion Chief Juan Arias said crews found multiple patients with burns and other traumatic injuries and upgraded the response to a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident because of the number of victims and resource needs, according to Battalion Chief Juan Arias.
- Officials said 11 patients were transported to local hospitals, their conditions were not immediately known, and emphasized that the cause of the possible explosion and fire remains under investigation and that an explosion has not been confirmed; these details were reported with the count of 11 patients.
- Eyewitness and nearby boat charter operator Patrick Lee told CBS he saw three people 'fly out of the boat' and described the vessel becoming engulfed in flames within minutes after the operator allegedly started the engine without running blowers or opening hatches, as recounted by Patrick Lee.
- The Miami Herald identified the vessel as a 40-foot Press Cruiser 400 Express cabin cruiser named 'Nauti Nabors' from Sherman, Texas, and reported that Texas Parks and Wildlife lists the owner as Mark Mihm of Denison, Texas in its coverage of 'Nauti Nabors'.
- According to the Miami Herald, the boat was docked near the Haulover Marine Center a few hours after the incident.
- Battalion Chief Arias urged boaters to carry radios, life vests and fire extinguishers and to ensure an experienced operator is on board, citing high seasonal boat traffic.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it responded with the U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to a report of a possible boat explosion around 12:45 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
- MDFR Battalion Chief Juan Arias said crews found multiple patients with burns and other traumatic injuries and upgraded the response to a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident due to the number of victims and need for resources.
- Officials said 11 patients were transported to local hospitals, with conditions not immediately known, and stressed that the cause of the possible explosion and fire remains under investigation and that an explosion has not been confirmed.
- Eyewitness and nearby boat charter operator Patrick Lee told CBS he saw three people "fly out of the boat" and described the vessel becoming engulfed in flames within minutes after the operator allegedly started the engine without running blowers or opening hatches.
- The Miami Herald identified the vessel as a 40-foot Press Cruiser 400 Express cabin cruiser named "Nauti Nabors" from Sherman, Texas, certified for recreational use, and reported that Texas Parks and Wildlife lists the owner as Mark Mihm of Denison, Texas.
- According to the Miami Herald, the boat was docked near the Haulover Marine Center a few hours after the incident.
- Battalion Chief Arias urged boaters to carry radios, life vests and fire extinguishers and to ensure an experienced operator is on board, citing the high seasonal boat traffic.