Captain of boat that capsized near Statue of Liberty charged in deaths of mother and baby

Key Points:

• Manuel Hernandez, the captain of an allegedly unlicensed boat that capsized near Liberty Island, has been charged with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death following the deaths of Sara Sanchez and her 5-month-old daughter.
• Hernandez operated the boat without proper registration, certification, or infant-sized flotation devices and exceeded the vessel's maximum capacity by carrying 14 people instead of 10.
• The accident occurred when Hernandez made a U-turn into a swell caused by a larger vessel's wake, capsizing the boat and throwing all aboard into the water; 11 passengers and Hernandez were rescued, but Sanchez and her baby were found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
• Hernandez admitted to not having the required merchant mariner credential or Coast Guard certificate of inspection, both mandatory for operating a vessel with paying customers, and was unaware these certifications were needed.
• The community is mourning the tragedy, with coworkers and friends supporting Sara Sanchez’s partner, Andres Garcia, and their surviving child through an online fundraiser, highlighting the family's loss and Garcia’s dedication to his family.