Captain Charged After Boat Capsizes Near Statue of Liberty, Killing Mother and Baby

A 46-year-old boat operator has been charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment after a vessel carrying 14 people capsized near New York’s Liberty Island, killing a 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old daughter.The 22-foot boat overturned at about 10:25 p.m. Saturday in New York Harbor, near the Statue of Liberty, prompting a major rescue operation involving the NYPD Harbor Unit, scuba divers, aviation teams, the FDNY and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Twelve passengers were rescued and taken to hospitals with minor injuries. Police divers later found the woman and infant in the water. Both were taken to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where they were pronounced dead.

The operator, identified as Manuel Hernandez, was arrested and charged after the incident. Authorities have not yet established what caused the boat to overturn.

The Coast Guard is investigating whether the vessel was being operated as an illegal charter, which would mean carrying passengers for payment without the required federal credentials, safety equipment or inspection certificates.

Investigators are also examining the vessel’s passenger capacity and safety compliance. Reports identified it as a 22-foot bowrider, while authorities continue to determine whether overloading or other factors contributed to the accident.

The Coast Guard praised the emergency responders and a Good Samaritan vessel that helped rescue survivors, describing the incident as a tragic loss of life. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could follow depending on its findings.