Man Charged After Fatal Boat Incident Near Statue of Liberty

Arrest and Charges

A 46-year-old man, identified as Manuel Hernandez, faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment. The charges come after a tragic boat incident near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported the arrest at 2:27 a.m. on Sunday.

Incident Details

The accident occurred at approximately 10:25 p.m. on Saturday night, resulting in the death of a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old baby girl. NYPD divers found the victims in the water. Police have not disclosed if the victims were related, and their identities remain unreleased.

Rescue Efforts

Twelve individuals were rescued from the water following the boat’s overturn. Emergency responders transported two critically injured victims to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn. Others with minor injuries received care at nearby hospitals.

The NYPD’s Harbor Unit, Scuba Team, and Aviation Unit, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the emergency.

Ongoing Investigation

The U.S. Coast Guard continues to investigate the cause of the accident. They plan to interview the boat’s captain as part of this effort.

According to reports, the overturned vessel was a 22-foot bowrider. Following the incident, survivors and some relatives were observed at the hospital, with some still wearing life jackets.

Safety Regulations

New York State mandates that operators of motorized boats complete an approved boating safety course. Motorized boats must also be registered and carry safety equipment such as U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Specific regulations apply to children under 12 and the type of equipment required on different vessels.

Additional federal safety regulations may apply in New York Harbor. It remains unclear if any safety laws were broken in this incident.