- A boat capsized near Liberty Island, resulting in the tragic deaths of a mother and her baby.
- Captain Hernandez appeared in federal court to face two federal charges of misconduct or neglect of ship officers resulting in death.
- Hernandez was granted a $50,000 bond and ordered to surrender travel documents, not operate any boats, and have no contact with passengers or tour operator employees.
- His preliminary court date was set for September.
- The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating whether the ship was an illegal charter and lacked required credentials, safety gear, and inspection certificates for for-hire passenger trips.
Manuel Hernandez, 46, was taken into federal custody after the tragic capsizing of a 22-foot boat near Liberty Island, which left Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old baby, Antonella, dead. Hernandez faces two federal charges of misconduct or neglect of ship officers resulting in death.
The incident occurred Saturday night when emergency crews responded to reports of an overturned vessel carrying 14 people. Survivors included Andres Garcia, the husband of Sanchez, who is now mourning the loss of his wife and child.
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating whether Hernandez's boat was operating as an illegal charter, lacking necessary credentials, safety gear, and inspection certificates for passenger trips. Hernandez was granted a $50,000 bond and is prohibited from operating any boats or contacting passengers from the incident.
His preliminary court date is set for September as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“Hernandez faces two federal charges of misconduct or neglect of ship officers resulting in death, and was granted a $50,000 bond with conditions including surrendering travel documents and not operating boats. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating whether the vessel lacked required credentials, safety gear, and inspection certificates for for-hire trips.”
cbsnews.com
