New York Harbor Speedboat Capsizes Near Statue of Liberty, Killing Woman and Infant

Photo Source: United States Coast Guard Investigative Service

A speedboat carrying passengers in New York Harbor capsized near the Statue of Liberty on Saturday night, killing a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old daughter. The boat's operator has now been charged federally with causing their deaths through alleged misconduct and negligence.

Manuel Hernandez, 46, appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday. He was not required to enter a plea and was released on bail. Federal prosecutors charged him with negligence as a ship captain resulting in death and misconduct as a ship captain resulting in death.

The victims were identified as 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. Both were transported to NYU Langone Brooklyn in critical condition following the accident but were later pronounced dead.

Sanchez's husband was also on board and survived. The couple's 6-year-old son was not on the vessel. Twelve other passengers were rescued with minor injuries.

Vessel Capsized During a Turn

According to the federal complaint, the incident occurred approximately three hours and 20 minutes into the tour, shortly before 10:30 p.m.

Hernandez was allegedly piloting the 22-foot vessel toward the Statue of Liberty when he made a U-turn. Investigators say the maneuver brought the boat into a swell that the wake of a larger passing vessel may have generated.

The complaint alleges that Hernandez attempted to accelerate through the swell, but the wave overwhelmed the bow of the boat, causing it to rapidly capsize.

A major rescue operation followed, involving the U.S. Coast Guard, FDNY and NYPD, as well as a nearby good Samaritan vessel.

Capt. Doreen McCarthy, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, credited the rescuers with taking "heroic, swift actions" that helped save the surviving passengers.

The vessel was later recovered from the water and transported to the NYPD Harbor Unit facility on Randall's Island as investigators continued examining the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Questions Over Passenger Capacity and Illegal Charter

Investigators are also examining whether the boat was carrying more passengers than it was legally permitted to carry and whether the trip was part of an illegal charter operation.

Authorities define an illegal charter as a passenger-for-hire operation conducted without the required Coast Guard credentials, safety equipment or Certificate of Inspection.

According to the federal complaint, Hernandez was an unlicensed operator who had periodically worked for the tour operator on a freelance or contract basis since last year. He had reportedly started working for the company as a limousine driver.

Officials say Hernandez had previously piloted tours on his personal boat despite not holding a Merchant Mariner Credential or a Certificate of Inspection.

On Saturday, however, he allegedly used a friend's boat because his own vessel was being repaired. The complaint says he did not inform the owner that the boat would be used for a paid passenger tour.

Hernandez allegedly initially expected the tour to have 12 passengers but ultimately agreed to take 13 people aboard the 22-foot vessel.

No Child-Sized Life Jacket

The federal complaint also raises concerns about safety equipment.

Authorities allege that Hernandez told passengers he did not have a child-sized personal flotation device for the infant. Instead, he reportedly instructed Sanchez to hold her daughter during the boat ride.

The vessel eventually overturned while approaching the Statue of Liberty, leaving passengers in the water and triggering the emergency response.

A $1,800 Tour Ends in Tragedy

According to prosecutors, the boat trip cost passengers $1,800. What began as a sightseeing excursion in New York Harbor ended with the deaths of a young mother and her infant daughter.

Hernandez now faces federal charges related to the fatal accident. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining the vessel's capacity, safety equipment, licensing, and whether the operation complied with federal requirements for passenger-for-hire vessels.

The allegations against Hernandez are contained in the federal complaint, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.