A boat captain was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and reckless endangerment after his vessel exploded in flames near Hart Island in the Bronx on Saturday, June 7, 2025, forcing 23 passengers to jump into the water and swim for their lives.
Joshua Brito, 33, of the Bronx, was taken into custody following the incident that occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the Long Island Sound. The explosion on the 35-foot Carver yacht sent passengers scrambling into the water to escape the flames, with most making their way to the nearby 131-acre island.
The Coast Guard identified the vessel as a 44-foot powerboat with an enclosed cabin. According to sources, the boat was one of several tied together when the blast set it on fire, forcing passengers into the waters between the Bronx and Westchester County.
Marine 4, a New York City Fire Department vessel conducting routine patrol in the area, spotted the burning boat and responded immediately. FDNY crews pulled three people from the water and transported them to a nearby dock where Engine 70 and EMS personnel were waiting to begin CPR on the victims.
The remaining 19 passengers swam to Hart Island, where they were rescued by FDNY, NYPD, and Coast Guard boats. All survivors were then transported to the docks at the Yacht Club on City Island for medical evaluation.
Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael Meyers described the coordinated rescue effort, stating that Marine 4 reported a boat fire with multiple people in the water to the Bronx dispatcher. Land units were immediately dispatched to City Island to accept patients as marine units conducted water rescues.
Twenty-three people sustained injuries in the incident, with ages ranging from 17 to 58 years old. One person was initially reported in critical condition but was later listed as stable. Police indicated that 22 people suffered minor injuries while one sustained more serious injuries.
Fourteen passengers were transported to Jacobi Hospital Medical Center and nine to Montefiore Einstein Hospital for treatment. One 46-year-old man remained in the intensive care unit at one hospital, according to a relative who spoke to media outlets.
The Carver 35 yacht model is designed to safely carry eight to 15 passengers according to online specifications, raising questions about the vessel’s capacity at the time of the incident. Fire officials noted that the boat would have needed to be a considerable size to accommodate the number of people aboard.
Meyers indicated that Marine 4 had observed the vessel earlier in the evening and noted there were many people on the boat. He emphasized the complexity of the rescue operation, explaining the coordination required between marine units, land units, and EMS personnel to successfully evacuate patients from water to shore.
Video footage shared on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the vessel as flames engulfed the rear section of the boat. The dramatic scene captured passengers in white clothing running toward the front of the vessel before jumping into the water to escape the fire.
Witnesses described seeing heavy black smoke while walking in the area. Emergency responders from multiple agencies, including the FDNY, NYPD, and Coast Guard, coordinated the rescue operation that prevented what could have been a deadly maritime disaster.
The incident occurred during warm weather conditions, prompting FDNY Marine 4 to extend its patrol until midnight. This extended patrol schedule proved crucial in the rapid response to the emergency situation.
Brito was scheduled for arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court on Sunday, June 8, 2025. He faces charges of first-degree reckless endangerment and driving while intoxicated, both alcohol and drugs, as well as driving while intoxicated for a first offense.
The cause of the explosion and subsequent fire remains under investigation by multiple agencies. Both the NYPD and Coast Guard are conducting separate investigations into the incident to determine what led to the vessel catching fire.
The incident has raised concerns about boating safety and the dangers of operating watercraft while intoxicated. All 23 passengers involved in the incident are expected to recover from their injuries, though the full extent of trauma from the harrowing experience continues to be assessed by medical professionals.
