Florida

Authorities Investigating Death of Boater Near Miami Beach

FWC says preliminary investigation indicates victim struck by boat's propellers

What to Know

  • The boater went missing Sunday afternoon.
  • The yacht in which the boater went missing from is called the Miami Vice, which is a 95-foot yacht typically used for private charters.
  • Officials have confirmed the boater is a male, but have not released any additional details about him.

Authorities are investigating the death of a boater who had been reported missing after a day out on a boat near Miami Beach Sunday but who may have been struck by the yacht's propellers.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife officials, they received a call Sunday afternoon from Monument Island on Miami Beach that a passenger on a boat went missing.

FWC officials confirmed on Monday that there was a fatality of a person who was on the Miami Vice, a 91-foot yacht typically used for private charters.

Preliminary information indicated the victim, Raul Menendez, was struck by the boat's propellers, the FWC said. Remains have been found but officers and dive team members are still searching the area, officials said.

Menendez, 25, was from Hialeah.

"FWC has taken over the investigation so we have officers with the vessel, with the operator, and we are conducting the investigation," FWC spokesman Ronald Washington said.

The Miami Beach Fire Department had been assisting in the search for the boater.

Washington said the yacht was taken to a U.S. Coast Guard station for further investigation.

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