Coast Guard investigates whether boat was illegally chartered
New York police said the operator of the boat has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment. Officials said a large search and rescue operation was launched after the boat overturned and capsized near the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour on Saturday night, killing a woman and a five-month-old baby.
Twelve people were rescued from the water, officials said. The names of passengers and the specific cause of the incident have not been released.
The US Coast Guard said the rescue involved two Coast Guard boats, four fire department boats, two police boats and a police helicopter.
“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,” said Capt Doreen McCarthy of the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard investigators are also determining whether the boat was illegally chartered, officials said. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.