A Liberty Island boat accident in New York Harbor has left a 27-year-old mother and her 5-month-old daughter dead, prompting a federal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s capsizing.
The incident happened at about 10:25 p.m. Saturday near Liberty Island, the New York Harbor landmark that is home to the Statue of Liberty. A 22-foot Bayliner pleasure boat overturned in the water, sending passengers into the harbor.
The victims were identified by New York police as Queens resident Sara Sanchez, 27, and her infant daughter, Antonella Garcia.
Police divers recovered the mother and baby from the water. Both were transported to NYU Langone Health in Brooklyn in critical condition, but they were later pronounced dead.
Twelve other people aboard the vessel were rescued and taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
The boat’s captain, Manuel Hernandez, 46, was arrested following the incident and initially faced 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
He was later transferred into federal custody as authorities began a broader investigation into the operation of the vessel.
Investigators are also examining whether the boat was being operated as an illegal charter. The Coast Guard said it is working with New York police and the Coast Guard Investigative Service to determine what led to the fatal capsizing and whether the vessel was being used in violation of federal regulations.
The boat has since been towed to shore and remains in police custody while investigators examine the vessel and other evidence.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information about the circumstances immediately preceding the capsizing.
One of the key questions surrounding the Liberty Island boat accident is whether the vessel was legally authorized to carry the passengers who were aboard.
The Coast Guard has regulations covering charter vessels, including requirements involving operators, passenger capacity and the way such boats are rented or operated.
Bayliner produces several models around the 22-foot size, with passenger capacities generally ranging from 10 to 12 people depending on the specific model. Investigators will determine the exact vessel involved and whether the number of people aboard complied with applicable regulations.
The investigation is expected to examine the boat, its operating conditions, the captain’s actions and the circumstances that caused it to overturn.
Court records relating to the captain’s case were not immediately available, and it was not immediately clear whether Hernandez had obtained legal representation.
News of the deaths has also brought grief to Sanchez’s neighborhood in Queens.
Diego Naranjo, a neighbor who said he had known Sanchez for several months, described her as a kind and respectful person. He recalled seeing Sanchez and the father of her children returning home with groceries just days before the tragedy.
The loss has left relatives and friends mourning a mother whose life was cut short alongside her infant daughter.
The tragedy occurred in one of New York’s most recognizable waterways. Liberty Island attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year, with tourists arriving by ferry and other boats to see the Statue of Liberty and the surrounding harbor.
The location also means that marine traffic can be active, particularly during periods of heavy tourism.
The fatal accident has renewed attention on the importance of passenger safety, responsible vessel operation and compliance with regulations governing commercial and charter boats.
For investigators, the immediate priority is determining exactly what happened on the water that night and whether any violations contributed to the deaths.
The Liberty Island boat accident remains under investigation, and officials have yet to provide a final explanation for why the vessel overturned. As investigators continue examining the boat and gathering testimony, the deaths of Sara Sanchez and her young daughter remain at the center of a tragedy that has deeply affected their family and community.
