A recreational boat overturned in New York Harbor near Liberty Island late Saturday night, killing a 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old daughter and leaving 12 other passengers injured. The vessel’s 46-year-old operator has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of reckless endangerment.
Boat Overturns Near Liberty Island
Emergency services were called at about 10:25 p.m. on August 8 after receiving reports that a vessel had overturned near Liberty Island, close to the Statue of Liberty.
Fourteen people were aboard the 22-foot boat when it capsized. Twelve passengers were rescued from the water, with assistance from emergency responders and a nearby sightseeing vessel. They were taken to hospitals for treatment and were reported to have suffered minor injuries.
NYPD Harbor Unit officers, divers and aviation personnel responded to the incident. Police divers later located the woman and infant in the water and brought them to shore.
Mother and Five-Month-Old Daughter Die
The two victims were identified as 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her five-month-old daughter, Antonella. Both were transported to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn in critical condition, where they were later pronounced dead.
The deaths have prompted renewed questions about passenger safety and the circumstances surrounding the boat’s operation. Investigators are examining how the vessel was being used and whether it was carrying more people than permitted.
Boat Operator Faces Reckless Endangerment Charges
Authorities arrested 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez, the boat’s operator, following the accident. He faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment. The investigation remains ongoing, with the New York Police Department and U.S. Coast Guard examining the circumstances that led to the vessel capsizing.
Investigators are also looking into whether the boat was being operated as an unauthorized charter and whether it met applicable safety and credentialing requirements.
Officials have praised the rescuers and nearby boat crew who helped pull survivors from the water. The Coast Guard has emphasized the importance of determining whether safety regulations were followed as investigators work to establish what caused the fatal New York Harbor boat accident.
