The US Coast Guard is conducting an active investigation into the circumstances and cause of a fatal incident involving an overturned vessel near Liberty Island, New York, on the evening (local time) of Saturday, August 8.
The coast guard, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) responded to a report of an overturned vessel in the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty with all persons on board going into the water.
Two Coast Guard Station New York boats, four FDNY and two NYPD boats, as well as an NYPD helicopter deployed to rescue the persons in the water. While all persons on the overturned vessels were recovered, two of the passengers, a mother and child, were pronounced deceased shortly after recovery.
The remaining survivors are reported to be in stable condition.
Following the initial rescue, the operator of the vessel was arrested by the NYPD for reckless endangerment. Coast guard investigators are also determining whether the operation constitutes an illegal charter operation and are coordinating efforts in conjunction with NYPD.
The coast guard, in coordination with the Coast Guard Investigative Service and the NYPD, is conducting an active marine casualty investigation into the circumstances and cause of a fatal vessel capsizing.