On the night of Aug. 8, a 22-foot powerboat carrying at least 14 people capsized near Liberty Island. NYPD divers recovered a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old girl, who later died at NYU Langone Hospital. The vessel's operator, Manuel Hernandez, 46, was arrested and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Federal and city agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and CGIS, are investigating and assessing whether the trip was an illegal charter.
Captain Charged After Boat Capsizes Near Liberty Island; Woman and 5-Month-Old Infant Killed
The Statue of Liberty in New YorkCredit: Getty
A 22-foot bowrider powerboat carrying at least 14 people capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor just before 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, authorities said. NYPD divers located a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old girl after the vessel overturned; both were taken to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn in critical condition and later pronounced dead.
An NYPD vehicleCredit: Gary Hershorn/Getty
The boat's operator, Manuel Hernandez, 46, was arrested in northwestern Brooklyn in the early hours of Aug. 9 and has been charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment, the NYPD and the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed. It was not immediately clear whether Hernandez had retained legal representation.
The New York skyline at sunsetCredit: Getty
Investigation Underway
The U.S. Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and the NYPD are conducting an active marine casualty investigation into the capsizing. Officials said investigators will interview the vessel operator and are also determining whether the trip may have been an illegal charter operation.
"Following the initial rescue, the operator of the vessel was arrested by the NYPD for reckless endangerment," the U.S. Coast Guard said in an Aug. 9 statement.
An additional dozen passengers were rescued from the water before police arrived and were treated for minor injuries and taken to area hospitals, the FDNY said. NYPD units on scene included the Harbor Unit, SCUBA Team and Aviation. At this time, authorities have not publicly released the identities of the deceased pending notification of next of kin, and investigators have not determined a definitive cause for the capsizing.
Note: Charges are allegations; the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The investigation by local and federal agencies remains active.
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