A 46-year-old man has been arrested following a tragic boat accident near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The incident occurred late Saturday night, resulting in the death of a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old baby girl. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that Manuel Hernandez was taken into custody at 2:27 a.m. on Sunday, facing charges of 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
The boat capsized at approximately 10:25 p.m. Twelve individuals were rescued, but the woman and infant were later discovered in the water by police divers. They were pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police divers found the victims after other passengers had been rescued. The identities of the deceased have not been released, and it remains unclear if they were related.
According to the New York City Fire Department, two people sustained critical injuries and were taken to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn. Twelve others with minor injuries were transported to local hospitals.
The vessel involved was a 22-foot bowrider. The NYPD Harbor Unit, Scuba Team, and Aviation Unit, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the emergency. Investigators aim to interview the boat’s captain to understand the circumstances that led to the vessel capsizing.
New York State law mandates that operators of motorized vessels undergo a state-approved boating safety course. Motorized boats generally need registration. Recreational vessels must carry safety equipment like U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Children under 12 must wear life jackets on vessels under 65 feet unless inside an enclosed cabin. Additional safety equipment requirements vary but include throwable flotation devices, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, distress signals, and engine cut-off devices.
Authorities have not confirmed if any safety regulations were breached during the incident.
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