Father of Miami Teen Speaks Out After Tragic Sailing Camp Boat Crash

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The father of Erin Ko Han, a 13-year-old girl killed in a tragic boat crash during a sailing camp in Miami, is speaking publicly about the final moments he shared with his daughter and his ongoing plea for answers. The incident has left two families grieving and has prompted a formal investigation by federal authorities.

Erin had just started her first day at the Miami Yacht Club’s sailing camp when a barge collided with the small sailboat she was on. Her father, Pil Jye Ko, recalled the moment he and his wife dropped Erin off at the camp. “She said, ‘See you later, mom and dad!’” Ko told Local 10 News. He described her as a “perfect daughter” — a bright, multilingual student who loved volleyball, swimming, and excelled in school.

Originally from Chile, the Ko family had relocated to Florida in 2024, hoping to give Erin a better future. Now, Ko says they are devastated and looking for justice. “We are very much in pain in our hearts because she was all we had,” he said. “I need to honor my daughter because I can’t say goodbye as if nothing happened. I need to know what happened.”

The fatal incident occurred during a summer sailing session. A barge struck the sailboat carrying Erin and several other young campers. Another child, 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich , granddaughter of renowned Argentinian television producer Cris Morena, also died in the crash. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were critically injured. A 12-year-old camper and the 19-year-old sailing instructor onboard were not harmed.

Emergency responders rushed the injured to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where Erin’s parents learned the extent of her wounds. “She had many wounds to her head, her arms, her legs, everywhere,” her father recounted, still in shock.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has opened an investigation into the crash. The barge’s captain, who has not been named publicly, was given a sobriety test at the scene but has not been arrested.

As the investigation proceeds, both families are left grieving and demanding accountability. Erin’s parents say they will not rest until they understand exactly what went wrong on the water that day.