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Miracle in Miami Bay: The Survival of Calena Areyan Gruber | E 180
In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen unravel the harrowing tale of 7-year-old Calena Areyan Gruber, who miraculously survived a catastrophic accident during sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, Miami. The story highlights the resilience and incredible survival instincts of a child caught in an underwater disaster caused by a massive commercial barge. The episode also delves into the tragic loss of three other young sailors, the regulatory failures in maritime safety, and the urgent need for reform to prevent similar tragedies. The podcast underscores the unpredictable nature of life and the extraordinary capabilities of human survival, particularly in children.
00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Setting the Scene: A Tragic Day in Miami Bay
09:53 The Collision: A Catastrophic Event
12:34 Kalina's Extraordinary Survival
16:18 The Aftermath: Rescue and Recovery
24:23 Calls for Maritime Safety Reforms
28:46 Reflections on Youth Sailing Safety
31:23 Conclusion and Listener Engagement who miraculously survived a catastrophic accident during sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, Miami. The story highlights the resilience and incredible survival instincts of a child caught in an underwater disaster caused by a massive commercial barge. The episode also delves into the tragic loss of three other young sailors, the regulatory failures in maritime safety, and the urgent need for reform to prevent similar tragedies. The podcast underscores the unpredictable nature of life and the extraordinary capabilities of human survival, particularly in children.
00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Setting the Scene: A Tragic Day in Miami Bay
09:53 The Collision: A Catastrophic Event
12:34 Calena's Extraordinary Survival
16:18 The Aftermath: Rescue and Recovery
24:23 Calls for Maritime Safety Reforms
28:46 Reflections on Youth Sailing Safety
31:23 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
Miami Bay Miracle Podcast - References and Sources
Primary Incident Sources
ABC News
"2 children dead after barge strikes sailboat from youth sailing program: Officials"
July 29, 2025
https://abcnews.go.com/US/miami-beach-sailboat-capsized-youth-sailing-program/story?id=124149834
CBS Miami
"Two children dead after sailboat and barge collision off Miami Beach, officials say"
August 5, 2025
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/two-children-killed-sailboat-barge-collision-off-miami-beach/
CNN
"Third girl dies after sailboat and barge collision in Miami"
August 3, 2025
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/03/us/miami-boat-accident-crash-death
CBS Miami
"Third girl dies after sailboat crash with barge near Miami Beach, family and officials confirm"
August 4, 2025
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/10-year-old-miami-beach-boat-crash-victim-ari-buchman-died/
Survivor and Family Information
Fox Business
"Miami sailboat crash survivor's family issues statement after deadly incident"
August 2025
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/miami-sailboat-crash-survivor-stared-death-face-lawyer-says
NBC 6 South Florida
"Parents of Calena Gruber, Miami sailing camp tragedy survivor, speak"
August 2025
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/family-of-7-year-old-miami-sailing-camp-tragedy-survivor-speaks/3672444/
PEOPLE Magazine
"Family of 7-Year-Old Girl Who Survived Miami Boat Crash That Killed 3 Say It's a 'Miracle She's Alive'"
August 2025
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/family-7-old-girl-survived-100808752.html
Miami Herald via Sun Sentinel
"'It's a miracle she's alive.' Girl injured in boat crash was trapped under barge"
August 4, 2025
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/08/04/girl-seriously-injured-after-biscayne-bay-barge-sailboat-crash-recovering-family-says/
Legal and Investigation Coverage
WLRN
"Attorney for survivor of deadly sailboat crash calls tragedy 'preventable'"
August 5, 2025
https://www.wlrn.org/law-justice/2025-08-04/attorney-for-survivor-of-deadly-sailboat-crash-calls-tragedy-preventable
Local 10 WPLG
"Lawsuit IDs owner of barge in deadly Biscayne Bay crash with youth sailing camp boat"
August 8, 2025
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/08/08/lawsuit-ids-owner-of-barge-in-deadly-biscayne-bay-crash-with-youth-sailing-camp-boat/
Leesfield & Partners
"Leesfield & Partners Representing Family of Girl, 7, Injured in Miami Beach Deadly Sailboat Crash"
August 5, 2025
https://www.floridainjurylawyer-blawg.com/leesfield-partners-representing-family-of-girl-7-injured-in-miami-beach-deadly-sailboat-crash/
Boating Safety Statistics
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety
"2023 Recreational Boating Statistics"
2024
https://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2023-Ch2.pdf
American Boating Association
"Boating Fatality Facts"
May 30, 2025
https://americanboating.org/boating_fatality.asp
Children's Safety Network
"Boating Safety"
https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/boating-safety
Child Drowning and Near-Drowning Research
Children's Safety Network
"The Facts On Childhood Drowning"
https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/facts-childhood-drowning
American Red Cross
"Drowning Prevention & Facts"
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/drowning-prevention-and-facts.html
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
"Neurologic long term outcome after drowning in children"
August 15, 2012
https://sjtrem.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1757-7241-20-55
NeuroLaunch
"Near-Drowning's Psychological Impact: Long-Term Effects and Recovery"
September 15, 2024
https://neurolaunch.com/psychological-effects-of-near-drowning/
Maritime Safety and Regulation Information
NOAA Fisheries
"Understanding Vessel Strikes"
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes
Frontiers in Marine Science
"A Global Review of Vessel Collisions With Marine Animals"
April 14, 2020
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00292/full
Witness Accounts and Community Response
Sailing Anarchy Forums
"Two children dead after barge hits sailboat in Biscayne Bay"
July 28, 2025
https://forums.sailinganarchy.com/threads/two-children-dead-after-barge-hits-sailboat-in-biscayne-bay.252661/
WLRN
"Sailboat crash victims ages 7 and 13, says Coast Guard. Two other kids in critical condition"
July 29, 2025
https://www.wlrn.org/south-florida/2025-07-29/biscayne-bay-sailboat-crash-victims-ages-7-and-13-two-other-kids-hospitalized-in-critical-condition
Key Facts Confirmed by Multiple Sources:
Incident Details:
Casualties:
Survivor Information:
Legal/Investigation:
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
View all episodes
By Kaycee McIntosh, Julie Henningsen, Bleav
3.9
416416 ratings
In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen unravel the harrowing tale of 7-year-old Calena Areyan Gruber, who miraculously survived a catastrophic accident during sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, Miami. The story highlights the resilience and incredible survival instincts of a child caught in an underwater disaster caused by a massive commercial barge. The episode also delves into the tragic loss of three other young sailors, the regulatory failures in maritime safety, and the urgent need for reform to prevent similar tragedies. The podcast underscores the unpredictable nature of life and the extraordinary capabilities of human survival, particularly in children.
00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Setting the Scene: A Tragic Day in Miami Bay
09:53 The Collision: A Catastrophic Event
12:34 Kalina's Extraordinary Survival
16:18 The Aftermath: Rescue and Recovery
24:23 Calls for Maritime Safety Reforms
28:46 Reflections on Youth Sailing Safety
31:23 Conclusion and Listener Engagement who miraculously survived a catastrophic accident during sailing camp in Biscayne Bay, Miami. The story highlights the resilience and incredible survival instincts of a child caught in an underwater disaster caused by a massive commercial barge. The episode also delves into the tragic loss of three other young sailors, the regulatory failures in maritime safety, and the urgent need for reform to prevent similar tragedies. The podcast underscores the unpredictable nature of life and the extraordinary capabilities of human survival, particularly in children.
00:00 Introduction to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast
00:31 Setting the Scene: A Tragic Day in Miami Bay
09:53 The Collision: A Catastrophic Event
12:34 Calena's Extraordinary Survival
16:18 The Aftermath: Rescue and Recovery
24:23 Calls for Maritime Safety Reforms
28:46 Reflections on Youth Sailing Safety
31:23 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
Miami Bay Miracle Podcast - References and Sources
Primary Incident Sources
ABC News
"2 children dead after barge strikes sailboat from youth sailing program: Officials"
July 29, 2025
https://abcnews.go.com/US/miami-beach-sailboat-capsized-youth-sailing-program/story?id=124149834
CBS Miami
"Two children dead after sailboat and barge collision off Miami Beach, officials say"
August 5, 2025
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/two-children-killed-sailboat-barge-collision-off-miami-beach/
CNN
"Third girl dies after sailboat and barge collision in Miami"
August 3, 2025
https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/03/us/miami-boat-accident-crash-death
CBS Miami
"Third girl dies after sailboat crash with barge near Miami Beach, family and officials confirm"
August 4, 2025
https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/10-year-old-miami-beach-boat-crash-victim-ari-buchman-died/
Survivor and Family Information
Fox Business
"Miami sailboat crash survivor's family issues statement after deadly incident"
August 2025
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/miami-sailboat-crash-survivor-stared-death-face-lawyer-says
NBC 6 South Florida
"Parents of Calena Gruber, Miami sailing camp tragedy survivor, speak"
August 2025
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/family-of-7-year-old-miami-sailing-camp-tragedy-survivor-speaks/3672444/
PEOPLE Magazine
"Family of 7-Year-Old Girl Who Survived Miami Boat Crash That Killed 3 Say It's a 'Miracle She's Alive'"
August 2025
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/family-7-old-girl-survived-100808752.html
Miami Herald via Sun Sentinel
"'It's a miracle she's alive.' Girl injured in boat crash was trapped under barge"
August 4, 2025
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/08/04/girl-seriously-injured-after-biscayne-bay-barge-sailboat-crash-recovering-family-says/
Legal and Investigation Coverage
WLRN
"Attorney for survivor of deadly sailboat crash calls tragedy 'preventable'"
August 5, 2025
https://www.wlrn.org/law-justice/2025-08-04/attorney-for-survivor-of-deadly-sailboat-crash-calls-tragedy-preventable
Local 10 WPLG
"Lawsuit IDs owner of barge in deadly Biscayne Bay crash with youth sailing camp boat"
August 8, 2025
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/08/08/lawsuit-ids-owner-of-barge-in-deadly-biscayne-bay-crash-with-youth-sailing-camp-boat/
Leesfield & Partners
"Leesfield & Partners Representing Family of Girl, 7, Injured in Miami Beach Deadly Sailboat Crash"
August 5, 2025
https://www.floridainjurylawyer-blawg.com/leesfield-partners-representing-family-of-girl-7-injured-in-miami-beach-deadly-sailboat-crash/
Boating Safety Statistics
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety
"2023 Recreational Boating Statistics"
2024
https://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2023-Ch2.pdf
American Boating Association
"Boating Fatality Facts"
May 30, 2025
https://americanboating.org/boating_fatality.asp
Children's Safety Network
"Boating Safety"
https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/boating-safety
Child Drowning and Near-Drowning Research
Children's Safety Network
"The Facts On Childhood Drowning"
https://www.childrenssafetynetwork.org/infographics/facts-childhood-drowning
American Red Cross
"Drowning Prevention & Facts"
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/drowning-prevention-and-facts.html
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
"Neurologic long term outcome after drowning in children"
August 15, 2012
https://sjtrem.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1757-7241-20-55
NeuroLaunch
"Near-Drowning's Psychological Impact: Long-Term Effects and Recovery"
September 15, 2024
https://neurolaunch.com/psychological-effects-of-near-drowning/
Maritime Safety and Regulation Information
NOAA Fisheries
"Understanding Vessel Strikes"
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-vessel-strikes
Frontiers in Marine Science
"A Global Review of Vessel Collisions With Marine Animals"
April 14, 2020
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00292/full
Witness Accounts and Community Response
Sailing Anarchy Forums
"Two children dead after barge hits sailboat in Biscayne Bay"
July 28, 2025
https://forums.sailinganarchy.com/threads/two-children-dead-after-barge-hits-sailboat-in-biscayne-bay.252661/
WLRN
"Sailboat crash victims ages 7 and 13, says Coast Guard. Two other kids in critical condition"
July 29, 2025
https://www.wlrn.org/south-florida/2025-07-29/biscayne-bay-sailboat-crash-victims-ages-7-and-13-two-other-kids-hospitalized-in-critical-condition
Key Facts Confirmed by Multiple Sources:
Incident Details:
Casualties:
Survivor Information:
Legal/Investigation:
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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