Captain of boat that capsized near Liberty Island, killing mother and baby, appears in federal court
The captain of the boat that capsized near Liberty Island on Saturday, resulting in the death of a mother and her infant child, appeared in federal court Monday.
Manuel Hernandez, 46, was taken into federal custody Sunday after initially being arrested on 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
Hernandez appeared in court Monday to face two federal charges of misconduct or neglect of ship officers resulting in death.
The U.S. Coast Guard is looking into the possibility that the ship Hernandez was operating was an illegal charter, and whether it lacked required credentials, safety gear and inspection certificates needed for for-hire passenger trips.
Hernandez was granted a $50,000 bond and ordered to surrender his travel documents, not to operate any boats or nautical vessels, and not to have contact with the passengers who were aboard his vessel, or anyone employed with the tour operator.
His preliminary court date was set for September.
Emergency crews responded to the report of an overturned 22-foot boat carrying 14 people Saturday night. Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old baby, Antonella, later died at a hospital. They were the wife and child of Andres Garcia, who survived.
Friends are trying to raise funds to support Garcia and the couple's 6-year-old son. Colleagues say Garcia is a tireless worker at a hotel and restaurant who never turned down a shift.
