Captain of boat that capsized near Statue of Liberty charged in deaths of mother and baby - NBC News
The captain of an unlicensed boat that capsized near the Statue of Liberty, resulting in the deaths of a woman and her infant, has been charged with misconduct and neglect. Investigators allege the vessel was overloaded and lacked proper safety equipment.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the dangers of unregulated tour operations and the critical importance of maritime safety compliance.
The captain of an allegedly unlicensed boat that capsized in New York Harbor near Liberty Island over the weekend, killing a young woman and her baby, has been charged in their deaths. Manuel Hernandez, 46, was charged Monday with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York. Hernandez, of Manville, New Jersey, appeared in court Monday, where he was not required to enter a plea and was released on $50,000 bail, NBC New York reported. He left with his court-appointed attorney, Amy Gallicchio, and both declined to comment, the station reported. Gallicchio did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News. Queens resident Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia, died in the tragedy Saturday evening.
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