A woman and a 5-month-old baby died after a vessel overturned in New York Harbor on Saturday night, according to police. Authorities are investigating whether the vessel was an illegal charter, the U.S. Coast Guard said on Sunday.
The New York Police Department said it was called to an overturned vessel near Liberty Island at 10:55 p.m. on Saturday. The authority deployed a harbor unit, as well as a scuba and aviation team to the scene, where 12 individuals had been rescued from the water before their arrival.
However, the 27-year-old woman and the 5-month-old baby girl were located and transported to NYU Langone Hospital, where they were declared deceased on arrival, according to authorities. It was not immediately clear whether they are related. The remaining survivors are reported to be in stable condition.
“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,” Captain Doreen McCarthy, the Coast Guard Sector New York Commander, said in a statement. “We are extremely grateful for the heroic, swift actions of our partner agencies and Good Samaritan vessel who assisted in rescuing survivors from the water.”
Police said it is investigating the cause of the deadly incident.
The NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information confirmed to CBS News that Manuel Hernandez, 46, of New York, was arrested Sunday on 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
An illegal charter is any passenger-for-hire vessel operation that lacks Coast Guard credentials, safety equipment and inspection certificates, the Coast Guard said.