New York City, New York — A nighttime boating trip in New York Harbor ended in tragedy after a 22-foot speedboat overturned near the Statue of Liberty, killing a 27-year-old mother and her 5-month-old daughter and prompting a criminal investigation into the vessel’s operation.
Authorities are now examining whether the boat was being used as an illegal passenger-for-hire charter, adding another layer to an already devastating incident.
Boat Overturns Near Liberty Island
The Bayliner speedboat capsized at approximately 10:25 p.m. Saturday near Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The sudden overturning sent passengers into the water during nighttime conditions.
Twelve people were rescued from the harbor before police arrived, according to authorities. Police divers later located the woman and her infant daughter in the water.
Both victims were brought to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The identities of the mother and baby had not been released Sunday because authorities were still working to notify their relatives.
12 Survivors Rescued From the Water
The remaining passengers survived the incident and were reported to be in stable condition. A nearby sightseeing company’s vessel also played a critical role in the rescue effort.
Adam Schwartz, whose company operates Sea the City II, said the hot tub boat was conducting a cruise when crew members became aware of the emergency.
The captain and two crew members immediately assisted the people who had entered the water, contacted the Coast Guard and coordinated with Coast Guard and NYPD Harbor units.
The survivors were eventually brought safely to shore in Brooklyn.
Boat Operator Faces Criminal Charges
Authorities have charged Manuel Hernandez, 46, of New York, with 13 counts of reckless endangerment, according to police.
The charges come as investigators work to determine exactly what caused the vessel to overturn and whether any violations contributed to the deadly incident.
No phone number for Hernandez was immediately available, and the case had not yet appeared in online court records as of Sunday.
The criminal allegations remain pending, and Hernandez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Coast Guard Investigates Possible Illegal Charter
The U.S. Coast Guard is also investigating whether the boat was operating as an illegal charter.
Coast Guard Sector New York Commander Capt. Doreen McCarthy said investigators are working alongside police and are committed to holding anyone who broke the law accountable.
Woman Was Simply Walking Down a Charlotte Sidewalk When Man Allegedly Attacked Her and Punched Her
Under Coast Guard guidelines, an illegal charter can involve a passenger-for-hire operation that does not have the required credentials, safety equipment or inspection certificates.
Investigators will likely examine the vessel’s documentation, safety equipment, passenger arrangements and the circumstances surrounding the trip as they determine whether the boat was legally authorized to carry passengers for payment.
Coast Guard Praises Rescue Effort
McCarthy expressed condolences to the victims’ family while also thanking the agencies and Good Samaritan vessel involved in the rescue.
The response involved multiple emergency agencies and private boat operators, who worked together to pull survivors from the harbor and coordinate their transportation to shore.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to establish what happened in the moments leading up to the capsizing and whether the vessel’s operation violated federal or local regulations.
For the family of the mother and infant, however, the investigation follows an unimaginable loss — a nighttime harbor outing that ended with two lives lost just steps from one of New York City’s most recognizable landmarks.
What do you think should happen when a passenger vessel may have been operating illegally? Should charter operators face stricter safety requirements and inspections? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
