'Miami Vice' Captain Faces Up To 10 Years For Easter Tragedy

MIAMI BEACH, FL — The captain of the yacht "Miami Vice" will face a federal charge in the death of a charter guest who was killed by the propellers of the 91-foot vessel on Easter Sunday. Forty-nine-year-old Mauricio Alvarez was arrested earlier this week just prior to boarding an international flight at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, according to federal prosecutors. Alvarez did not have a U.S. captain's license at the time of the tragedy.

The arrest was announced on Thursday by U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg, Special Agent In Charge Thomas Robarge of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service Southeast Region and Major Alfredo Escanio of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement.

Twenty-five-year-old Raul Menendez was swimming near the vessel on April 1 when he was struck by the ship's propeller just off Monument Island. Menendez and other guests had chartered the vessel for $3,000. The captain was earning $150 per hour for what was to be a four-hour trip.

Prosecutors said that Menendez and another passenger were reportedly swimming near the stern of the vessel when Alvarez "engaged the engines ... in reverse."

Alvarez could not see the stern of the vessel or "ensure the safety of any remaining swimmers in the water while engaging the engines from this location without assistance from another individual," prosecutors charged. A first mate was assisting with the charter.

The captain was charged with misconduct or neglect of a ship officer, an offense that carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

The incident occurred at 4:42 p.m. on a sunny afternoon. There were a total of nine people on the vessel, including Menendez and six other passengers.

Menendez' body was found off the coast on Monday after a search that included the Miami Beach Police Department and the FWC.

The first mate was previously identified as Andres Tarcisio. Other passengers aboard the ship included Anthony Acosta, Nicole Marie Urbay, Maria Ashley McKenzie, Barrington Michael Oliver Wright, Yinelis Yisvel Martos and Cesar Meneses.

According to an online listing, the Miami Vice can be chartered for $5,000 per night. The listing said that the vessel holds up to 16 guests.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Rose.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano