Sunday, August 9, 2026 - A boat operator has been charged after a 22-foot motorboat capsized near New York’s Liberty Island late Saturday, killing a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old daughter.
The vessel had 14 people aboard when it overturned around 10:25 p.m. Twelve people were rescued, while police divers recovered the mother and infant from the water; both were later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Manuel Hernandez, 46, of New York, faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard is also examining whether the boat was being operated as an illegal charter, which would raise serious questions about required credentials, safety equipment and inspections. The other passengers were reported to be in stable condition.
The tragedy has intensified scrutiny of passenger safety on New York Harbor, particularly as investigators determine why the vessel capsized with so many people aboard.
Coast Guard and police investigators are now working to establish what caused the accident and whether safety regulations were violated. The case could bring further enforcement action if investigators confirm the boat was operating outside legal charter requirements.
0 Comments