Maritime Accident Report: May 9, 2026 — Diver Killed by Boat Propeller Off Bimini, U.S. Disables Iranian Tankers Sea Star III and Sevda in Gulf of Oman, Iran Seizes M/T Ocean Koi, Cargo Vessel Bremen Grounds at Silloth, Two Injured Near Duette Preserve
This daily report covers notable maritime incidents and offshore casualties from publicly available sources. These summaries are provided for informational awareness and do not constitute legal advice.
64-Year-Old Diver Killed in Boat Propeller Incident Off Bimini, Bahamas
A 64-year-old man died after his right leg became entangled in the propeller of the 61-foot sport-fishing vessel Great Lakes while diving roughly 17 miles from Bimini shortly after 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Six men were aboard when the incident occurred; the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and U.S. Coast Guard coordinated the response, and the boat was directed toward Miami for emergency medical care, but the diver died en route on May 8.
Source: Local10 News
U.S. Navy F/A-18 Disables Iranian Tankers M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda in Gulf of Oman
On May 8, 2026, U.S. Central Command announced that a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) struck the smokestacks of the Iranian-flagged unladen tankers M/T Sea Star III and M/T Sevda with precision munitions, disabling both vessels before they could enter an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman in violation of the U.S. blockade. Iranian-affiliated media reported that an overnight strike killed at least one sailor and injured ten aboard a cargo vessel that caught fire, though it was not confirmed whether that vessel was one of the two tankers acknowledged by U.S. forces.
Source: U.S. Central Command
Iran Seizes Barbados-Flagged Tanker M/T Ocean Koi in Sea of Oman
Hours after the U.S. strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy announced on May 8, 2026 that it had seized the Barbados-flagged, Chinese-managed oil tanker M/T Ocean Koi in the Sea of Oman, accusing the vessel of attempting to "disrupt oil exports and the interests of the Iranian nation." IRGC commandos and marines guided the tanker — which appeared to be carrying Iranian crude and was U.S.-sanctioned — to Iran's southern coast and handed it over to judicial authorities.
Source: Al Jazeera
Cargo Ship Bremen Grounds at Port of Silloth, England
The Cyprus-flagged general cargo vessel Bremen grounded at the Port of Silloth on the Solway Firth in Cumbria, England at approximately 12:10 a.m. local time on May 8, 2026 during arrival from Klaipeda, Lithuania. Authorities and salvors were working to refloat the vessel and limit any environmental risk; no injuries were reported.
Source: Duke Austin & Co
Two Injured in Single-Vessel Boating Incident Near Duette Preserve, Florida
Two people were injured on Thursday, May 8, 2026 when a small homemade vessel was crossing a lake on private property near Duette Preserve in Manatee County, Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that the operator was injured and the passenger was ejected into the water; the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and Manatee County Fire Rescue assisted, and both occupants were taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Source: MySuncoast
U.S. Military Strike Kills Two on Alleged Drug-Trafficking Boat in Eastern Pacific
U.S. Southern Command announced on Friday, May 9, 2026 that the U.S. military struck an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two men and leaving one survivor. SOUTHCOM said the boat was operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations" and notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate search-and-rescue resources for the survivor. The action is the third such strike in the eastern Pacific in five days as part of an ongoing campaign that has killed at least 193 people across the eastern Pacific and Caribbean since September.
Source: Al Jazeera
If you or a loved one has been affected by a maritime accident, consulting a qualified maritime attorney can help you understand your legal rights under the Jones Act, general maritime law, or the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
