Nebraska tourists rescued after boat catches fire off Miami Beach
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Harrowing video shows the moment a group of Nebraska vacationers narrowly escaped death after their tourist boat burst into flames just off the coast of a popular Florida beach resort.
The incident came to light just before 11 a.m. Thursday, when a group of tourists from Omaha boarded the 40-foot ship “Size Matters” from Fort Lauderdale to the Florida Keys. accordingly WSVN.
“We were running with a few other MTI boats, it was like we were in a poker run or a reunion,” boat owner Peter Fink told the outlet.
The group was about a quarter mile off the coast of Miami Beach when they reportedly noticed a burning smell coming from the ship.
CRUISE SHIP CHANGED ROUTE TO SAVE PEOPLE ON THE PROBLEM BOAT: ‘I KNOW’ IT WAS
A 40-foot boat named “Size Matters” burst into flames while carrying a group of tourists from Nebraska about a quarter mile off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Cristian Valles via Storyful)
“I smelled some smoke and slowed down and realized it was our boat,” Fink said.
In the video recorded by eyewitnesses, the five-engine ship is seen engulfed in flames and thick clouds of black smoke rising into the air.
Fink and a group of travelers reportedly began using a fire extinguisher to prevent the fire from spreading, but eventually decided they needed to escape the burning ship and began signaling nearby boaters.
“We actually waved at a boat, threw the fire extinguisher up a little bit so they could see the smoke coming out of the fire extinguisher and that got their attention and they approached us and they were amazing,” passenger Jason James told WSVN.
An Ocean Rescue boat then noticed the flames and rushed to the boat to save its passengers. Family members banded together to carry each other to safety.
CRISIS SHIP WITH HUNDREDS OF PASSENGERS BREAKED OUT WITH A DEADLY FIRE: ‘I PANICED’
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vessels extinguish a fire aboard a 40-foot boat named “Size Matters” about a quarter mile off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue)
“We had heroes here who saved us all, threw us over to the other boat,” passenger Irelynn James said.
Following the evacuation of the passengers, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units arrived by air and sea to assist with emergency efforts and then towed the charred remains to nearby Haulover Bay.
“Luckily no one fell, no one — we didn’t have to jump, so it’s all good,” Fink told the outlet.
FLORIDA BOATMAN RESCUE TWO PEOPLE FROM THE SHIP IN FLAMES OFF THE SHORE
No injuries were reported following a fire on a 40-foot boat named “Size Matters” about a quarter mile off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Miami-Dade Fire Rescue)
Although the boat was completely burned in the fire, it was reported that the family’s luggage was removed from the wreckage without any damage and thus they were able to continue their journey.
“I thought it wasn’t time to go yet,” James said. “It was their trip and I decided to tag along so I could do something for my birthday in two days; I’m just trying to get to 20.”
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Miami-Dade Fire Rescue confirmed to Fox News Digital that authorities have not specified the cause of the fire and that no injuries were reported.
