Woman and Baby Die After Boat Capsizes in New York Harbor

A 22-foot boat flipped over near Liberty Island in New York Harbor, resulting in the tragic loss of a woman and her 5-month-old infant. Fortunately, twelve other passengers were rescued from the water just as the New York City police arrived.

The individual charged with operating the overcrowded and unlicensed boat tour, which capsized, is currently in ICE custody and, according to the Department of Homeland Security, is illegally in the United States.

Manuel Hernandez, a 46-year-old from El Salvador, was apprehended after an investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard Bureau confirmed his undocumented status. Initially, he faced thirteen reckless endangerment charges at the state level, followed by federal charges including manslaughter related to the incident that occurred on August 8 in New York Harbor.

According to federal prosecutors, Hernandez operated the tour without authorization and failed to adhere to several safety regulations, leading to the deaths of a mother, 27, and her infant daughter.

Hernandez reportedly entered the U.S. illegally through Texas in 2007. He is suspected of having misled U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen.

Despite not having permission to transport paying passengers, Hernandez’s boat carried 14 people — exceeding its limit of ten. It is also alleged that he allowed the infant on board without a proper life jacket.

After the incident, Hernandez informed investigators that he was unaware of the necessity for a merchant mariner license or a Coast Guard inspection certificate. He claimed that the rented boat lacked a capacity placard and that he didn’t know the vessel’s maximum capacity.

Markwayne Mullin, the Secretary of Homeland Security, commented on the situation: “This criminal illegal alien was conducting an illegal and unauthorized boat tour in New York Harbor when his boat capsized, killing a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old infant.” Mullin further stated that following the procedures of facing criminal charges, Hernandez would be deported.

Prior to the fatal event, Hernandez had, apparently, asked the parents of the baby if they had an appropriate flotation device. When told they didn’t, he revealed the boat didn’t have one either. It’s reported that he instructed a parent to wear a life jacket and hold the baby during the tour.

The boat ultimately capsized near Liberty Island, throwing all 14 individuals into the harbor. Hernandez later explained that he made a U-turn in response to waves that formed from a large ship’s wake, attempting to navigate through the swell before water filled the bow. He and eleven passengers survived, but the mother and child were found unresponsive and later declared dead at a hospital in Brooklyn.

The two federal charges against Hernandez carry a potential penalty of up to ten years in prison.