A tragic boat accident near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor late Saturday night led to the arrest of a man on charges of reckless endangerment. Manuel Hernandez, aged 46, faces 13 counts following the incident that resulted in the deaths of a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old baby girl, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The boat capsized at approximately 10:25 p.m., and Hernandez was apprehended at 2:27 a.m. Sunday. The NYPD confirmed that twelve individuals were rescued from the water. However, police divers later found and retrieved the two victims, who were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Fox News reported that the woman and infant were located by divers after other passengers had been rescued. The NYPD has not verified whether the victims were related and has not disclosed their identities. Newsweek received comments from the New York City Fire Department stating that two critically injured individuals were transferred to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn, while others with minor injuries were taken to local hospitals.
The vessel involved was a 22-foot bowrider, as noted by Fox News, citing police sources. Emergency response included the NYPD’s Harbor Unit, Scuba Team, and Aviation Unit, alongside the U.S. Coast Guard. Following the incident, the New York Post observed some survivors and relatives at the hospital, with survivors seen in life jackets.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported ongoing investigations, intending to interview the boat’s captain to determine the cause of the accident. New York State mandates operators of motorized vessels to undertake a state-approved boating safety course, and such vessels must be registered. Recreational vessels require safety equipment, including U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
Regulations stipulate children under 12 must wear life jackets aboard vessels under 65 feet unless inside a fully enclosed cabin. Additional rules cover throwable flotation devices, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, distress signals, and engine cut-off devices, varying with vessel type and operation details. Investigators have not commented on whether safety regulations were breached during this incident.