A tugboat captain involved in a catastrophic collision in Miami's Biscayne Bay, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls last year, has been officially charged with involuntary manslaughter by U.S. federal authorities.
The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that the accused, Yusiel López Insúa, aged 46 and residing in Miami, was operating a vessel with impaired visibility and without a proper lookout, leading to the fatal incident on July 28, 2025.
The accident happened while the tugboat piloted by López Insúa was pushing a barge loaded with construction debris. Court records reveal that the view from the bow was obstructed by a deckhouse and a crane, and there was no one aboard acting as a lookout, a fundamental maritime safety role.
Nearby, a children’s sailing camp was underway. A sailboat carrying a 19-year-old instructor and five girls became stranded in the path of the barge after losing wind.
"Due to the obstructed visibility and the absence of a lookout, Insúa failed to see the disabled sailboat before the barge collided with it," stated the official report.
The collision was devastating. The instructor and two of the children survived after being swept under the vessel, but three other girls were trapped in the wreckage and drowned.
The victims were identified as Mila Yankelevich, age 7; Arielle Buchman, age 10; and Erin Ko, age 13, all attending the final week of a summer camp organized by the Miami Yacht Club.
A significant issue highlighted by the investigation was the captain's use of a cell phone during navigation. Forensic analysis revealed internet activity during the journey, including around the time of the collision.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones emphasized the seriousness and preventable nature of the tragedy. "Our hearts go out to the families of the children who lost their lives in this tragedy. This information suggests a loss of lives that could have been prevented on our waterways, including the failure to adhere to basic maritime safety standards and the use of cell phones during transit at the time of the collision or nearby."
Reding Quiñones added that authorities will present evidence "with care and professionalism," and reminded that "the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
López Insúa, whose original nationality remains undisclosed, faces a charge of maritime involuntary manslaughter and, if convicted, could serve up to 10 years in federal prison.
The defendant's legal team stated that their client "intends to take responsibility for his actions and resolve the case in a manner that prevents causing any additional, unnecessary pain or distress to the families."
The case remains under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Coast Guard in Miami, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In addition to the criminal proceedings, civil actions have also been initiated. A lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the surviving girls alleges potential negligence by the barge's owner and organizations associated with the sailing camp, claiming that "adequate measures" were not taken to prevent the collision.
Authorities also commended the rapid response of Miami-Dade County rescue teams, Miami Police, and Miami Beach authorities, whose efforts helped save some of the sailboat's occupants amid a scene of chaos and desperation.
Key Details of the Miami Tugboat Tragedy
What charges is Yusiel López Insúa facing?
Yusiel López Insúa has been charged with maritime involuntary manslaughter and could face up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
What contributed to the collision in Biscayne Bay?
The collision was attributed to obstructed visibility and the absence of a proper lookout on the tugboat, as well as the captain's use of a cell phone during navigation.
Who were the victims of the Miami Bay tragedy?
The victims were Mila Yankelevich, age 7, Arielle Buchman, age 10, and Erin Ko, age 13, who were participating in a summer camp organized by the Miami Yacht Club.