Friday, September 19, 2025

Be careful who you trust

Skipper of NYC boat that burst into flames had no license to operate vessel: prosecutors


The captain of a charter yacht that burst into flames off a Bronx shoreline had no license to operate the vessel — and has been indicted on a boatload of new charges, prosecutors revealed. 

Joshua Brito, 33, was allegedly drinking while operating a 36-foot vessel packed with 22 passengers celebrating a family birthday when it ignited in a fiery explosion near Hart Island on June 7, forcing everyone onboard to jump ship, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Thursday.

Brito had no captain’s license and allegedly profited over $3,000 from the illegal charter while tossing back booze, prosecutors said.

Joshua Brito being arrested by NYPD officers.
Brito had no captain’s license and allegedly profited over $3,000 from the charter while tossing back booze. Peter Gerber

“Thankfully, no one was killed when the vessel burst into flames and passengers jumped into the water, but a woman nearly drowned, and a man suffered serious burns,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement.


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