The captain of a boat that capsized in New York Harbor earlier this month, killing a baby and her mother, has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, authorities said.
Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, was arrested on August 9 and charged after a boat carrying 14 people capsized near the Statue of Liberty. A complaint filed in the Southern District of New York said he was piloting the boat without proper licenses and that his vessel, a Yamaha AR210, was over capacity when it capsized.
“After an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) confirmed Hernandez-Umana’s unlawful presence in the United States, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested him,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement Wednesday.
Hernandez faces two federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death. The captain did not enter a plea during an initial appearance in federal court on August 10.
Hernandez was released the same day on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond with certain conditions, including not to operate any boats or vessels.
