Snorkeling incident kills husband and wife in Maui

A woman pregnant with her second child and her husband have died following a snorkeling incident while on vacation in Maui.

The tragedy took place on Saturday, Sept. 14 just after noon on the north side of Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, according to reporting from national news outlets.

The couple was out snorkeling while their oldest son, an 18-month-old, stayed with his aunt and uncle. The woman, 26-year-old Sophia Tsaruk, was allegedly found by a rescue team member on a jet ski who brought her to shore to begin CPR. Her husband, Ilya Tsaruk, 25, was found by firefighters with the Maui County Fire Department approximately 100-150 yards away from the shore.

“We are blessed to have had both of them in our lives and are left now with the sweet memories and moments that we shared together with them,” a representative of the family wrote in a GoFundMe online page.

The reserve where the couple was snorkeling is known to have some of the best snorkeling on the island where tourists and locals can spot turtles and other thriving marine life. An online, Maui-based snorkel blog suggests intermediate experience is needed to swim safely at this location because moderate currents can occur in the area.

Additional information about what led to the couple’s death was not immediately available Wednesday.

Swimming Safety

While entranced by sparkling, clear waters and the need to cool off on a sweltering day, no one thinks about the potential dangers that the ocean presents. There is a myriad of things that can go wrong from heedless boaters nearby to the strength of currents and speed of weather conditions. Florida has historically been dubbed the “boating capital of the world” and its warm weather and diverse marine life lends to its avid community of avid divers and boaters.

In Monroe County, an area of the state with the highest number of injuries related to water activities, there were approximately 87 accidents on the water with over 60 injuries and three deaths in 2023. In Miami-Dade County, there were about 20 accidents involving personal watercrafts or jet skis.

Statewide, there were 659 reportable boating accidents in 2023. About 15 accidents included people on canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddleboards, resulting in seven deaths. The leading accident type for the year was a collision with a fixed object. Approximately 82% of boaters involved in incidents in 2023 had no formal boating education.

These numbers come from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s annual boating report. This is the latest data available on boating accidents in Florida.

Leesfield & Partners

Not unlike the snorkeling incident in Maui, the Florida Keys are a set of islands that attract millions of visitors each year with water activities such as jet skiing, fishing, boating and snorkeling opportunities. Leesfield & Partners has had a foothold in Key West with its office on historic Whitehead street. The office, which was recently recognized by The Florida Bar with the “Historic Building Renovation Award,” has lent to the firm’s stellar reputation representing injured clients. In the firm’s 48-year history, attorneys have not only helped thousands of tourists and Key West natives alike but they have also handled cases that have led to statewide protections and change. Not only have our attorneys advocated for this change but they have also won many of the largest personal injury verdicts in the state.

In a wrenching case previously handled by the firm, a family’s minor son was killed by another child speeding and recklessly driving a boat. The family’s son was enjoying Memorial Day weekend snorkeling when the other child hit him with the boat, resulting in the son’s devastating death. The child operating the boat did not stop, attempted to hide evidence and lied to police when questioned. Neighbors later testified that the child was known to drive the boat recklessly in the past.

Attorneys with the firm secured a $1.7 million settlement for the family.

In a boating injury case, Leesfield & Partners clients were aboard a boat for a demo during the Miami Boat Show, an annual watercraft event. The person captaining the boat at the time of the incident failed to slow down for a large boat wake. One of our clients was thrown up in the air. On her way down, she heard her back “crunch.”

In the case of a Texas jet skier, Leesfield & Partners attorneys secured a $580,000 settlement for the client’s shattered femur.

Leesfield & Partners also represented the family of a snorkeler who drowned while out at Dry Tortugas National Park. The boat tour that brought the man and his wife to that area instructed them on what area to swim. Within moments, he was found floating and unresponsive. The man was a novice swimmer and the boat tour company did not provide him with a flotation device.

A confidential settlement was reached in that case.

A Key West spearfisherman was hit by a boat, suffering a serious and disfiguring laceration to his leg. Leesfield & Partners attorneys secured a $275,000 recovery for his injuries.

The firm also recovered $585,000 for the drowning death of a Texas man.

The family of a New Jersey tourist killed in a Key West jet ski accident was awarded $3 million.

More recently, Leesfield & Partners attorneys secured the maximum capped settlement on behalf of a grieving family after a young man out lobster diving was hit and killed by an FWC officer.

Water Safety Tips

Never allow children to operate boats or jet skis.
Never boat under the influence.
Always adhere to divers-down flag distance rules.
Always prominently display your divers-down flag when you are in the water.
Ensure your vessel is equipped with enough life jackets for everyone on board and proper safety equipment such as flares, first-aid kits and radios.
Never boat while drunk or impaired.
Always make sure children wear life jackets while on the boat.
Adhere to wake zone rules.
Always check the weather and ocean conditions before going out for a snorkeling and or boating day.
Tell someone where you will be and when you are expected to return. This way, if you do not return by the expected time, there will be someone to immediately ring the alarm bells and give rescuers a precise location to go off of when beginning their search. This applies to snorkeling and boating.
Snorkelers should never go out alone. Always be sure to have a buddy with you in addition to the person on land who you have told your location to.
If you are on a boat that has capsized, try to stay close to it so that you are easier to spot by rescuers in the air.
When snorkeling, it is imperative to know your physical limits. Do not push your body past these limits as it can be easy to be overwhelmed when out on the water. Those who are not strong swimmers should wear a life jacket.
Refrain from touching and or disturbing marine life. Always keep a safe distance and do not panic.
Do not hold your breath. Holding your breath for too long while snorkeling can cause you to feel dizzy or light-headed. Breathe normally.
Never drink alcohol before snorkeling as it impairs judgement and can make you feel dizzy, nauseous and or make it more difficult to swim.