Overview
- The 21–22‑foot recreational bowrider flipped over near Liberty Island late Saturday night, throwing 14 people into New York Harbor.
- Twelve people were rescued and taken to hospitals with minor injuries while a 27‑year‑old woman and her 5‑month‑old daughter were recovered in critical condition and later died at NYU Langone Brooklyn.
- The boat’s operator, Manuel Hernandez, 46, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
- Coast Guard, Coast Guard Investigative Service and NYPD investigators have towed the overturned vessel into police custody and are examining whether the boat was overloaded or being used as an illegal charter.
- The case highlights growing scrutiny of small passenger operations in New York Harbor and could lead to additional charges or regulatory action after interviews and evidence reviews are completed.