A 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old daughter died on Saturday night after their vessel capsized in New York Harbor near Liberty Island. The boat was carrying 14 people when it overturned, leading to a large-scale rescue operation involving the New York Police Department and a nearby commercial vessel. The captain of the boat was arrested the following day on multiple charges of reckless endangerment.
The NYPD reported receiving a call about the capsized vessel at 10:55 p.m. on Saturday. Harbor, scuba, and aviation units were dispatched to the scene, where a private boat operated by Sea the City had already begun pulling people from the water. Authorities confirmed that 12 survivors were rescued, with some taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.
Law enforcement identified the deceased as Sara Sanchez and her daughter, Antonella Garcia. According to hospital officials, both were declared deceased upon arrival at NYU Langone Hospital. The husband and father of the victims, Andres Garcia, was among the survivors. The family had recently moved to the College Point neighborhood of Queens approximately two months ago.
Manuel Hernandez, 46, of New York, was arrested Sunday and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. The U.S. Coast Guard stated it is investigating whether the vessel was an illegal charter. The Coast Guard defines an illegal charter as any passenger-for-hire operation that lacks required credentials, safety equipment, and inspection certificates.
The investigation into a potential illegal charter highlights risks for recreational boaters and tourists who hire private vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard notes that illegal charters operate without mandated safety inspections or certified equipment, which can mean the difference between life and death during a capsize. For residents and visitors in coastal cities, this case serves as a precedent for increased enforcement against uncertified passenger-for-hire operations.
What happens next depends on the ongoing investigation by the NYPD and the Coast Guard into the cause of the capsize. Manuel Hernandez faces prosecution on the reckless endangerment charges filed on Sunday. The Coast Guard has not yet released a final determination regarding the boat's charter status, which could lead to additional federal penalties if found to be in violation of maritime safety regulations.