On April 3, 2021, about 0745 eastern daylight time, a fire was reported aboard the 85-foot-long recreational vessel FL7150RN, which was at its offshore mooring in Key West Harbor, northwest of Key West, Florida. The two persons on board were rescued by local US Coast Guard responders. After the vessel’s mooring line melted, the FL7150RN drifted and ran aground. The Coast Guard and other responders continued firefighting efforts until the fire was mostly extinguished. Early the next morning, the vessel capsized and sank.
The accident was classified by the US Coast Guard as a major marine casualty. The NTSB will lead the investigation.
The NTSB’s initial investigation of this accident did not identify significant transportation safety issues. The Office of Marine Safety has determined that additional investigation and utilization of resources is not warranted at this time. The NTSB has produced an investigation close-out memorandum.
