U.S. will seek to deport captain of boat that capsized in New York, killing mom and baby

Key Points:

• Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, accused of illegally operating an overloaded boat that capsized in New York Harbor on August 8, killing a woman and her infant daughter, faces deportation by the federal government.
• Hernandez, a Salvadoran national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2007, was charged with misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, and was released on $50,000 bail after a hearing.
• The boat was unregistered, operated without proper certification, lacked infant flotation devices, and exceeded its maximum capacity of 10 people, with Hernandez allegedly unaware of these limits.
• The capsizing occurred after Hernandez made a U-turn causing the boat to hit a swell; 11 passengers and Hernandez were rescued, but Sara Sanchez and her 5-month-old daughter Antonella were pronounced dead at the hospital.
• Authorities condemned Hernandez’s negligence, emphasizing that the tragedy was preventable and highlighting the profound loss suffered by the victims’ family.