Man Arrested After Deadly Boat Accident Near Statue of Liberty

A 46-year-old man faces charges of 13 counts of reckless endangerment after a boat overturned in New York Harbor, near the Statue of Liberty, resulting in the deaths of a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old baby girl. The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported the incident.

Manuel Hernandez was arrested early Sunday morning at 2:27 a.m. following the capsizing event, according to an NYPD spokesperson. The accident occurred late Saturday at around 10:25 p.m., with the NYPD diving team recovering the deceased victims from the water. The woman and the infant were transported to a hospital, where they were declared dead. Twelve other individuals were rescued from the water.

Fox News mentioned that the victims were discovered by NYPD divers after other passengers had been saved. The NYPD did not provide information about the relationship between the victims, and their identities remain undisclosed. The New York City Fire Department noted that two critically injured people were sent to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn, while a dozen with minor injuries were treated at local hospitals.

The boat involved was identified as a 22-foot bowrider by Fox News, based on details from a police source. The response to the scene involved the NYPD’s Harbor Unit, Scuba Team, Aviation Unit, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Reports from the New York Post indicated that survivors and family members appeared at the hospital, with some still wearing life jackets, as rescue vessels scoured the harbor.

The U.S. Coast Guard informed CNN about plans to interview the boat’s captain as part of an investigation into the causes of the capsize. Under New York State law, motorized vessel operators must complete a certified boating safety course and register their boats. Recreational vessels must also have necessary safety gear, such as U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

Children under 12, on boats under 65 feet, are required by New York law to wear approved life jackets unless inside a fully enclosed cabin. Other safety mandates, including those for flotation devices, extinguishers, and navigation equipment, vary depending on the vessel type and operation location. Federal regulations might also apply in New York Harbor. Officials have not disclosed if any safety laws were violated during the Saturday night incident.