- Captain Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana was arrested on August 9 and charged with federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death after a boat carrying 14 people capsized near the Statue of Liberty, killing 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia.
- Hernandez appeared in federal court on August 10, did not enter a plea, and was released on a $50,000 bond with conditions, including not operating any boats or vessels.
- ICE arrested Hernandez after a Coast Guard investigation confirmed his unlawful presence in the US, and he will be deported following the criminal case.
- Hernandez remains in ICE custody while awaiting trial, facing state charges including 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
- The boat capsized during a birthday celebration, and authorities are investigating whether Hernandez was running an illegal charter without required credentials and safety equipment.
- Prosecutors allege that Hernandez piloted the boat into a swell and accelerated the throttle, causing the boat to capsize immediately.
- There were no infant life vests onboard, which has raised concerns about safety regulations.
Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, was arrested after piloting a boat that capsized near the Statue of Liberty, resulting in the deaths of Sara Sanchez, 27, and her five-month-old daughter Antonella. The boat was overloaded and lacked infant life vests.
Prosecutors allege Hernandez accelerated the throttle into a swell, causing the boat to capsize. He faces two federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death. Following an investigation by the Coast Guard, it was revealed that Hernandez is in the U.S. illegally, having entered through Texas in 2007 and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship.12312
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated, “Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country,” according to Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Hernandez was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond but remains in ICE custody pending trial and deportation proceedings.
The incident has drawn attention amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, which has seen over 590,600 deportations since January 2025, disproportionately affecting Latin American immigrants. The baby’s father, Andres Garcia, survived the disaster.
“The captain, Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, was released on a $50,000 bond but remains in ICE custody, facing state charges including 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Prosecutors allege he piloted the overloaded Yamaha AR210 into a swell without infant life vests, and DHS says he entered the US illegally in 2007.”
The Guardian
