A tragic accident in New York Harbor Saturday night claimed the lives of a young mother and her infant daughter when a vessel carrying fourteen people capsized near Liberty Island.
The New York Police Department responded to the emergency call at 10:55 p.m., deploying harbor units, scuba teams, and aviation support to the scene. By the time authorities arrived, twelve passengers had already been pulled from the water by a Good Samaritan vessel operated by Sea the City, a local charter company.
Two victims remained missing. Police located Sara Sanchez, 27, and her five-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia, and transported them to NYU Langone Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. The mother and child resided in College Point, Queens, having moved to the neighborhood approximately two months prior to the incident.
The remaining survivors sustained minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals. Among those aboard was Andres Garcia, husband to Sanchez and father to Antonella, who works at Il Punto Ristorante in Midtown Manhattan. The Italian restaurant confirmed the family connection through a social media statement, noting that what began as a family outing ended in unimaginable tragedy. The couple also has a six-year-old son, though authorities have not confirmed whether he was present on the vessel.
On Sunday, the NYPD arrested Manuel Hernandez, 46, of New York, charging him with thirteen counts of reckless endangerment. Hernandez served as the boat’s captain. The U.S. Coast Guard has launched an investigation into whether the vessel operated illegally as a charter service.
According to Coast Guard regulations, an illegal charter operates as a passenger-for-hire vessel without proper credentials, required safety equipment, or current inspection certificates. These operations pose significant risks to passengers who assume they are boarding properly licensed and inspected vessels.
Captain Doreen McCarthy, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, expressed condolences in an official statement. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life last night, and our thoughts are with the victims’ family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” McCarthy stated. She commended the swift response of partner agencies and the Good Samaritan vessel whose crew pulled eleven people from the water.
Adam Schwartz, founder of Sea the City, confirmed his company’s boat first spotted the capsized vessel and people struggling in the water. The quick action of his crew likely prevented additional casualties.
The NYPD continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the capsizing. Authorities have not yet released information regarding weather conditions, the vessel’s seaworthiness, or whether overcrowding contributed to the tragedy.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by unlicensed maritime operations and the critical importance of proper safety protocols on the water.
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