Woman and baby die after boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty

A tragic accident near the Statue of Liberty claimed the lives of a 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old baby. The incident occurred Saturday around 10:25 p.m. when a 22-foot Bayliner speedboat carrying fourteen people capsized off Liberty Island, sending all occupants into the water.

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We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life last night, and accompany the families and loved ones of the victims in these difficult times.

Emergency services, including the Coast Guard, FDNY, and NYPD, responded swiftly. Two victims were pulled from the water in critical condition and later died at NYU Langone Health Brooklyn. The other twelve individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to local medical centers.

The captain of the vessel, identified as 46-year-old Manuel Hernández, was arrested and faces 13 charges of reckless endangerment. A criminal investigation is underway to determine the exact causes of the capsize. The boat has been impounded for forensic examination.

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We are immensely grateful for the heroic and swift actions of the collaborating agencies and the Good Samaritan vessel that assisted in rescuing survivors from the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard is also investigating whether the boat was operating as an illegal rental service. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life last night," stated Captain Doreen McCarthy, Commander of the Coast Guard Sector New York. "We are immensely grateful for the heroic and swift actions of the collaborating agencies and the Good Samaritan vessel that assisted in rescuing survivors from the water." The Coast Guard pledged to hold illegal operators accountable to ensure waterway safety.

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We are committed to holding illegal operators accountable to the fullest extent of the law to ensure the safety of everyone on our waterways.