Drunken ship captain indicted for birthday party explosion in long island sound

Drunken Ship Captain Indicted for Birthday Party Explosion in Long Island Sound

Posted by
1 min read
September 20, 2025
A birthday cruise turned disastrous when an unlicensed captain’s trip went up in flames.

BRONX, N.Y. – A Bronx man has been indicted on assault and reckless endangerment charges after prosecutors say he piloted a charter boat without a license while drinking, leading to a fiery explosion that forced more than 20 passengers to leap into Long Island Sound.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Friday that Joshua Brito, 33, of East 203rd Street, was arraigned on multiple charges, including first-degree assault, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, and operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. He is due back in court October 29.

According to the investigation, on June 7 Brito operated a 36-foot charter boat for hire, collecting more than $3,000 from 22 passengers celebrating a family birthday. The trip began at the World’s Fair Marina in Queens and headed north through the Long Island Sound.

Off the coast of Hart Island and City Island, the boat suddenly exploded and caught fire. All passengers were forced into the water. A woman nearly drowned before being pulled to safety by FDNY marine units, who performed CPR at the scene. A man suffered severe burns after falling into the flames and later required skin grafts.

Prosecutors said Brito, who did not have a captain’s license, was seen drinking alongside passengers during the voyage.

Clark credited the work of FDNY, NYPD, U.S. Coast Guard, and NYC Parks Department crews for saving lives during the emergency.


Key Points

  • Joshua Brito, 33, of the Bronx, indicted after a boat explosion injured two people off City Island.
  • Prosecutors say he operated the vessel without a license while drinking and carrying 22 passengers.
  • FDNY marine units rescued a drowning woman, and a man suffered severe burns in the fire.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version