A 22-foot speedboat capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor on Saturday night, killing a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old daughter, authorities confirmed Sunday. The incident has led to the arrest and charging of the boat’s operator, Manuel Hernandez, 46, who now faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment and is under federal investigation for potential illegal charter operations.
Twelve other passengers were rescued and remain in stable condition, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The victims, identified as Sara Sanchez and her daughter Antonella Garcia, both of Queens, were transported to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in critical condition and later pronounced dead. The boat’s operator, Hernandez, was initially arrested by the New York Police Department before being transferred to federal custody. He is scheduled to appear in federal court Monday afternoon, where further charges are expected.
The disaster occurred during what witnesses described as a birthday celebration, with all 14 passengers thrown into the water as the vessel overturned. The NYPD’s Harbor Unit, SCUBA Team, and Aviation Unit responded to the scene, while the U.S. Coast Guard launched an active investigation into the cause of the capsize and whether the boat was operating illegally.
Investigation Underway
The U.S. Coast Guard and NYPD are jointly examining whether the boat was an unlicensed charter, which would violate federal regulations. Hernandez, the boat’s operator, was initially charged under state law before federal authorities took over the case. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is leading the probe, with criminal charges anticipated in the Southern District of New York.
Family and Community React
The father of the deceased infant, Diego Naranjo, expressed shock and grief in a statement to local media. "I’m in shock," Naranjo told WABC. "For the family, sending condolences to the family. May they rest in peace in heaven." The couple also has a 6-year-old son, who was with a babysitter at the time of the incident.
Safety and Regulatory Concerns
The capsize has raised questions about boating safety regulations in New York Harbor, particularly regarding unregulated charter operations. The U.S. Coast Guard emphasized its commitment to holding illegal operators accountable, with Captain Doreen McCarthy, Sector New York Commander, stating: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life. We are committed to holding illegal operators accountable to the highest extent of the law."
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the capsize, though investigations are ongoing. The incident remains under active review by multiple agencies, including the NYPD, U.S. Coast Guard, and federal prosecutors.
Background on the Incident
The boat, carrying 14 passengers, overturned at approximately 10:25 p.m. local time near the Statue of Liberty. Rescue efforts were swift, with all survivors accounted for and in stable condition. The bodies of Sanchez and Garcia were recovered by NYPD divers and transported to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine whether overloading, operator error, or mechanical failure contributed to the tragedy. Federal and local officials have pledged full transparency as the case develops.