ICE detains captain of New York Harbor boat that capsized, killing mother and infant
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested the 46-year-old captain of a boat that overturned in New York Harbor, causing two deaths, and he now faces federal and state charges.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took into custody Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, after a boat he was piloting capsized near the Statue of Liberty earlier this month, killing a mother and her 5-month-old daughter. The vessel, a Yamaha AR210 carrying 14 passengers, was found to be operating without the required licenses and was overloaded, according to a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.
"After an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service confirmed Hernandez-Umana’s unlawful presence in the United States, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested him," the Department of Homeland Security said.
Hernandez faces two federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, as well as 13 state counts of reckless endangerment. He entered a not-guilty plea at his initial court appearance on August 10 and was released the same day on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, with conditions that prohibit him from operating any vessel.
The captain, an El Salvador national, reportedly entered the United States illegally in 2007 after falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. He declined to comment through his lawyer. Authorities are also probing whether he was running an illegal charter operation lacking required credentials and safety equipment, a violation of federal rules that apply to passenger vessels carrying more than six people for hire.
The capsizing occurred during a birthday celebration, prompting a large rescue effort that saved twelve passengers. Sara Sanchez, 27, and her infant daughter Antonella Garcia, both of Queens, were later pronounced dead at a hospital. Their husband and father of the child survived the incident.
The U.S. Coast Guard, together with its investigative service and the New York Police Department, continues to examine the cause of the accident. Prosecutors allege that Hernandez accelerated the throttle to navigate a swell, causing the boat’s bow to be swamped and the vessel to overturn. No infant life vests were found on board.
Hernandez remains in ICE custody while awaiting trial and will be subject to removal proceedings after any criminal sentencing is completed.