Two individuals who survived the devastating explosion that rocked a boat at Miami's Haulover Sandbar over the weekend shared their terrifying ordeal exclusively with Telemundo 51.
One of the injured women captured the essence of their experience with a haunting phrase: "It's like I was reborn."
The explosion took place on Saturday, May 9, during Mother's Day weekend aboard the "Naughty Neighbors" vessel, which is registered in Sherman, Texas. The incident occurred in Biscayne Bay, near the Haulover Sandbar in Miami-Dade County.
The emergency call was made at 12:48 p.m., prompting a massive response involving over 25 emergency units, including the Fireboat 21, Ocean Rescue units, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers, and the Coast Guard.
The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue classified the incident as a Level 2 Mass Casualty Event, initially reporting 15 people hospitalized, though later updates revised the number to 11 injured.
Tragedy on the Water
Among those affected was Adriana Rojas, who was celebrating Mother's Day on the boat. She was taken to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital with second-degree burns on her legs, buttocks, chest, left arm, and left side.
Her husband, Anthony Torres, recounted the harrowing moment he received a call from her, during which she screamed, "Help me! I'm burned! The boat exploded!"
At least one adult suffered burns over more than 30% of their body, while a pediatric victim endured severe burns and a compound femur fracture, marking the most critical case among the children.
Cause and Concerns
According to eyewitness and charter captain Patrick Lee, at least three people were thrown overboard by the force of the explosion.
The likely cause of the blast was attributed to the accumulation of high-octane gasoline vapors in the bilge, which ignited when the engine was started without following basic safety protocols—namely, opening the hatches and activating the exhaust fans before ignition.
FWC spokeswoman Melissa Brevik confirmed that the cause remains under investigation, stating that "preliminary information indicates that a charter vessel carrying several passengers was in Biscayne Bay, near Haulover Sandbar, when an explosion occurred on board."
Broader Safety Issues
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about nautical safety in South Florida. In May 2025, a similar explosion in Fort Lauderdale injured eleven people, leading to the death of 29-year-old Joshua Fifi, who succumbed to third-degree burns covering 70% of his body.
In 2024, Florida recorded 685 boating accidents, resulting in 81 fatalities—the deadliest year since 2019. Miami-Dade led with 75 incidents, based on FWC data.
A striking 65% of the operators involved in fatal accidents in the state that year lacked formal boating education or training, a critical factor authorities believe contributes to recurring tragedies like the one at Haulover Sandbar.
Understanding Boating Safety in Miami-Dade
What safety protocols should be followed before starting a boat engine?
Before starting a boat engine, it's crucial to open hatches and activate exhaust fans to clear any accumulated gasoline vapors, which can prevent potential explosions.
How many boating accidents occurred in Florida in 2024?
In 2024, Florida experienced 685 boating accidents, resulting in 81 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest year since 2019.
What percentage of operators involved in fatal boating accidents lacked formal training in 2024?
In 2024, 65% of operators involved in fatal boating accidents in Florida had no formal boating education or training.