Credited from: SCMP
The operator of a 22-foot Bayliner speedboat that capsized in New York Harbor on Saturday night, killing a 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old daughter, has been arrested. Manuel Hernandez, 46, faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment as the Coast Guard investigates if the vessel was illegally chartered, which includes lacking necessary safety equipment and credentials, according to BBC, South China Morning Post, and Los Angeles Times.
The incident occurred around 10:25 p.m. near Liberty Island, leading to a comprehensive rescue effort involving the Coast Guard and multiple agencies. Twelve passengers were rescued and reported in stable condition before police divers discovered the deceased mother and infant, who were subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life last night," said Captain Doreen McCarthy of the Coast Guard, highlighting the swift actions of rescue teams, according to BBC, South China Morning Post, and Los Angeles Times.