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Captain arrested in guest death in propeller accident
Update: April 13
Captain arrested in charter guest death in propeller accident in Miami
The captain of a yacht involved in a fatal propeller accident was arrested at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on April 6 as he attempted to board an overseas flight, according to a statement by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Mauricio Alvarez, 49, of Miami, was employed as captain on M/Y Miami Vice when the engine was engaged in reverse, killing one of the seven guests who had chartered the yacht on April 1. An original report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated Mauricio Alvarez was 20 years old. The discrepancy has not been clarified.
The complaint alleges that Alvarez, as the operator of the yacht, “could not see the stern of the vessel or ensure the safety of any remaining swimmers in the water while engaging the engines from this location without assistance from another individual”.
Raul Menedez, 25, was struck by the propellers, “resulting in his death,” according to a FWC report.
Also, it is alleged that Alvarez did not have a U.S. captain license. He worked with a first mate on board and was hired for $150 per hour for the four-hour charter, which was listed at a cost of $3,000, according to the statement.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman ordered Alvarez detained on the charge of misconduct or neglect by a ship officer, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison. The next hearing is scheduled for April 20.
Another investigation into the incident by FWC is ongoing.
Update: April 4
Operator engages engines in reverse before fatality
The operator of the 91-foot yacht beached at Monument Island in Miami on Sunday engaged the engines in reverse while a guest was in the water, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report on the fatal incident.
Twenty-year-old Mauricio Alvarez was at the helm of M/Y Miami Vice, an Intermarine yacht, when 25-year-old Raul Menendez was in the water around the island park. Mr. Menendez was one of seven guests aboard that day. He was struck by the propellers, “resulting in his death,” the FWC report said.
There were no other injuries during the incident, alcohol was not a factor, and arrests are pending, according to the report.
Original report: April 3
A 25-year-old yacht passenger died after being struck by the yacht’s propeller in Miami on Sunday.
Raul Menendez was one of seven passengers on the 91-foot M/Y Miami Vice, which was in the waters off Monument Island, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The vessel was operated by 20-year-old Mauricio Alvarez and 23-year-old Andres Tarcisio, according to the FWC.
How Mr. Menendez ended up in the water is unclear, but several local authorities, including FWC and Miami Beach police responded to a call to the island at 4:42 p.m. and began a search for Mr. Menendez. Remains found confirmed his death, FWC said in a statement.
The man-made island park in Biscayne Bay is located between the MacArthur and Venetian causeways and is home to a 110-foot high obelisk dedicated to Miami pioneer Henry Flagler.
The incident is still under investigation.
12 thoughts on “Captain arrested in guest death in propeller accident”
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USCG used to require a minimum age of 21 for a masters license. Maybe there was a reason?
The prop on a 90 ft boat is, well, not good. Their website says 95ft. Was he swimming near the boat?
20 year old “operator” of 91 foot yacht in Miami? Dear yacht owner of M/Y Miami Vice – Just goes to show, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys
Footage shows from witnesses the yacht was beached on Monument island. Never have I seen this before and this is a prime example why we all anchor in good water and shut down engines prior to allowing guests in the water. These boat owners need to stop hiring young inexperienced wet behind the ears kids to run their yachts.
The yacht was breached on Monument Island which is illegal on top of having a 20 year old drive the yacht. A tragic incident that was not supposed to happen if the yacht was never breached on the island. My heart goes out to Raul Menendez. May justice be served.
To save money, it is unfortunate that yacht owners and charter companies allow young Captains that are to eager to impress and throw safety out the window. I have seen reckless driving usually associated with young Captains.
Let’s start with more facts now, since we confirm the Captain is almost 50 years old. Maybe the Captain was too old for this command, unable to physically move around the vessel and check the stern?
I often hear that young captains are the cause of massive safety concerns but when it’s an old guy, no one blames his age?
I am 30 and command a new build 40 meter and have commanded 40-meter-plus yachts since I was 24 as Master with a full commercial 1600GRT/3000GT USCG license with 10 years in yachting and 5 years sailing commercial ships assist. Am I too young to command a mid range yacht as I do?
It’s not about age, it’s about experience !
20 years old + Yachtmaster + No experience = Bad Idea
20 years old + Real seatime + Proper license = Good Idea
50 years old + out of shape + Yachtmaster = Bad Idea
Sad for all those children…special prayers this wakes up a few owners…really.
A 50-year-old captain is old and out of shape now?? Sheesh.
Nothing to do with age, he has no license !! Who gave him the job ? They are to blame.
One of the best and safest Captains I’ve worked for was in his 70’s.
There is a reason that the Coast Guard checks health/medical & fitness for renewals.
Training & Experience are far more important than age.
To the person that commented that a 50 yr old Captain is “too old”. Your lack of experience comes shining through with that ridiculous comment. Just goes to show that people say stupid things despite their credentials.