Tugboat Captain Pleads Guilty in Fatal Biscayne Bay Collision
A tugboat captain has pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to a 2025 collision in Biscayne Bay that resulted in the deaths of three girls participating in a sailing camp. The captain, Yusiel Lopez Insua, will avoid a trial.…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 21, 2026 —
Yusiel Lopez Insua, a tugboat captain, has pleaded guilty to a federal charge in connection with a 2025 collision in Biscayne Bay that claimed the lives of three young girls. The girls were participating in a sailing camp at the time of the incident. The plea agreement means Lopez Insua will avoid a trial in the case.
Federal investigators pointed to the captain’s cellphone activity around the time of the crash as a significant factor. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the tugboat had obstructed views and lacked adequate lookout systems. These factors were noted by investigators in their assessment of the events leading to the collision.
The collision has also prompted a lawsuit, the details of which have not been fully disclosed.
The U.S. Coast Guard investigated the incident. The specific federal charge to which Lopez Insua pleaded guilty was not provided in the summary. Further details regarding the sentencing or the timeline of the lawsuit are also not available.
Story summarized from the original created by Trent Kelly, Andrea Torres on www.local10.com, see more information here.