Captain of capsized boat in New York Harbor to appear in federal court

Aug. 10 (UPI) — The operator of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor, killing a woman and her 5-month-old daughter, has been transferred to federal custody and will appear in court Monday.

Manuel Hernandez, 46, of Manhattan was arrested early Sunday, authorities said. The boat he was operating overturned near the Statue of Liberty on Saturday, leading to an extensive rescue operation including the U.S. Coast Guard and New York police and fire departments.

Sara Sanchez, 27, and Antonella Garcia, 5 months, were transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Sanchez’s boyfriend, Andres Garcia, was also on the boat and survived, CNN reported. Twelve people were rescued and were in stable condition.

Hernandez was charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment by the New York Police Department, but it is unknown what federal charges he may face. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is now leading the case, WABC-TV in New York reported.

Officials were investigating if Hernandez was running an illegal charter and whether the boat — which may have been over capacity — had required credentials and safety equipment. The cause of the incident is also under investigation.

“My thoughts are with the family and their loved ones as they grieve this devastating loss, and I know many New Yorkers feel exactly the same way,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday.

Antonio Russo, general manager of Il Punto Ristorante in Manhattan, where Andres Garcia has worked for five years, said Garcia is “the hardest-working person I’ve ever met in my life,” CNN reported. The couple also has a 5-year-old son, who was not on the boat.

“Nobody deserves such a thing, but especially Andres,” Russo said.