Statue Of Liberty Boat Capsizing: A boat capsizing near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor has left a 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old baby dead. The vessel overturned near Liberty Island on Saturday night, triggering a major search-and-rescue operation involving multiple emergency agencies.
The boat’s 46-year-old operator, a Manhattan resident, was arrested and faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment, New York police said. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims in their initial statements.
Statue Of Liberty Boat Capsizing: Boat Overturns Near Liberty Island
Police received a 911 call at around 10:25 p.m. local time reporting that a boat had overturned in waters near Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands.
A nearby vessel helped rescue 12 people from the water before police arrived, according to the US Coast Guard. The survivors were reported to be in stable condition. Emergency responders launched a large-scale operation following the incident, with Coast Guard, New York Fire Department and New York Police Department units involved in the response.
Woman And Baby Found By Police Divers
New York police divers later located the woman and the infant in the water.
The 27-year-old woman and five-month-old girl were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced dead, authorities said. Officials have not released details about what caused the vessel to overturn. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Boat Operator Faces 13 Reckless Endangerment Counts
The boat operator has been arrested and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
The charges are preliminary, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are also examining the circumstances under which the vessel was operating at the time of the accident.
Coast Guard Investigates Possible Illegal Charter
The US Coast Guard is investigating whether the boat was operating as an illegal charter.
According to authorities, an illegal charter involves a passenger-for-hire operation that does not have the required credentials, safety equipment or certificate of inspection.
The Coast Guard has not indicated that the charter investigation has established the cause of the capsizing.
Statue Of Liberty Boat Capsizing: Major Rescue Operation Underway
The rescue effort involved two Coast Guard boats, four Fire Department boats, two police boats and a police helicopter, according to the Coast Guard.
Officials also credited a nearby Good Samaritan vessel with helping rescue people from the water. US Coast Guard Capt. Doreen McCarthy expressed gratitude to the partner agencies and the civilian vessel involved in the rescue operation.
Statue Of Liberty Boat Capsizing: Investigation Continues
The precise cause of the boat capsizing has not been established. Investigators are expected to examine the vessel, its operation, and whether all applicable safety and licensing requirements were met. The incident remains under investigation, and further details are expected as authorities continue their inquiries.
