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Feds investigating if captain of boat that flipped in New York Harbor was running illegal charter business

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The captain of the overloaded boat that capsized in New York Harbor, killing a mother and her baby daughter, could face federal charges as investigators examine whether he was running an illegal charter company.

Manuel Hernandez, 46, was transferred to federal custody on Sunday after receiving treatment at Brooklyn’s Maimonides Medical Center, sources told The Post.

Federal charges could be announced as soon as Monday.

Hernandez — whose last known address was a swanky condo building off Central Park South — had been facing 13 reckless endangerment charges after being taken into NYPD custody Saturday night, but these are no longer being pursued at a local level as the federal investigation moves forward.

FDNY units respond to a capsized vessel off Liberty Island on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. Paul Martinka for NY Post

Investigators are examining whether the motorboat, which had 14 people onboard, including Hernandez, when it flipped over off Liberty Island, was carrying more passengers than allowed.

Hernandez is also under investigation for allegedly running an illegal charter business — meaning a passenger-for-hire operation lacking the required US Coast Guard credentials, safety equipment or certificate of inspection.

Emergency responders transporting a woman on a stretcher after a boat capsized off Liberty Island.
The deadly incident left two dead, a 27-year-old woman and an infant. Paul Martinka for NY Post

The Coast Guard previously said it was investigating the doomed trip as a potential illegal charter operation, and vowed to hold any unauthorized operators accountable.

Two passengers — mom Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter Antonella Garcia— were both rushed to NYU Langone Brooklyn in critical condition, where they were pronounced dead.

A woman bundled in a white blanket sits on a stretcher at night, her hand covering her mouth as if distraught or crying, with the red light of an emergency vehicle in the background.
The remaining 11 passengers were removed from the water and transported to the NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in stable condition with minor injuries. Paul Martinka for NY Post
A rescue boat with crew members on board, illuminated at night with a city skyline in the background.
Rescue crews seen scouring the waters after the deadly incident near Liberty Island.

Sanchez’s boyfriend, who is also Garcia’s father, was on board the boat at the time but survived.

The couple also has a 6-year-old son.

An overturned white boat floats partially submerged next to a dock.
Wreckage seen as NYPD Harbor Unit officers investigate an overturned boat at their Brooklyn base on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post

Follow the latest on the boat crash off Liberty Island in New York Harbor:

In total, 12 people, including Hernandez, were taken to nearby hospitals with minor injuries.

The vessel, a 2019 white 21-foot Yamaha motorboat, overturned just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, sparking a massive rescue operation involving the Coast Guard, FDNY, and NYDP.

The cause of the capsizing remains under investigation.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖

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