Roommate Mourns Hardworking Cuban Woman Killed in Biscayne Bay Boat Accident

Claudia Orellanes, 33, died after being thrown from a boat and struck by the vessel in Miami over the weekend.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged boat propeller, its metal surface reflecting the harsh light of the camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a boating accident.A damaged boat propeller serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by recreational boaters in the Miami area.Today in Miami

The roommate of Claudia Orellanes, a 33-year-old Cuban woman killed in a boating accident in Biscayne Bay, is remembering her friend as a hardworking, kind person whose sudden death has left her in shock. Orellanes was one of two people thrown from a 27-foot boat on Saturday morning, with the vessel continuing to spin out of control after the incident.

Why it matters

This tragic accident highlights the dangers of boating and the need for increased safety measures and awareness among recreational boaters in the Miami area. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by Cuban immigrants like Orellanes as they build new lives in the United States.

The details

According to officials, Orellanes and 54-year-old Neil Schwabe were on the boat when they were thrown into the water and struck by their own vessel as it continued moving. Schwabe was airlifted to the hospital, but Orellanes did not survive. Orellanes' roommate, Mayra Echevarria, said Orellanes had moved to the U.S. from Cuba three years ago and was working as an insurance agent, waking up early every morning and commuting to work.

  • The incident happened on Saturday morning in the waters near West Point and Crandon Park Marina.
  • Orellanes had lived with her roommate Mayra Echevarria for two years after moving to the U.S. from Cuba three years ago.

The players

Claudia Orellanes

A 33-year-old Cuban woman who was killed in the boating accident in Biscayne Bay. She had moved to the U.S. three years ago and was working as an insurance agent.

Mayra Echevarria

Orellanes' roommate, who is mourning the loss of her friend and remembering her as a hardworking, kind person.

Neil Schwabe

A 54-year-old man from Coconut Grove who was also on the boat and was airlifted to the hospital after the incident.

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What they’re saying

“She would wake up every morning at seven o'clock and drive to her work and she came back at 4:30 every day. She was a work person, a responsible person.”

— Mayra Echevarria, Orellanes' roommate

“I miss her a lot because she was always with her dog and she was always saying good morning. I miss her a lot in the morning. I will see her at the door. I miss Claudia.”

— Mayra Echevarria, Orellanes' roommate

“I don't sleep well. It impacted me a lot. So young. How could she pass so fast, in one day? So young? She was a good person, a very good person.”

— Mayra Echevarria, Orellanes' roommate

What’s next

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused Saturday's crash, but are urging boaters to take precautions before heading out onto the water.

The takeaway

This tragic accident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with boating and the need for increased safety awareness and measures to protect recreational boaters in the Miami area. It also highlights the challenges faced by Cuban immigrants like Orellanes as they build new lives in the United States.