Captain charged with manslaughter after overcrowded boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty

The captain of an unlicensed boat that capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor on Saturday, killing a 24-year-old woman and her 1-year-old child, has been charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter. The boat, a 21-foot recreational vessel, overturned around 6:30 p.m. close to the Statue of Liberty’s ferry route, sending at least five people into the water. The woman and her child were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital; three others were hospitalized with injuries.

Investigators say the boat was operating without proper registration or safety equipment, and had launched from Jersey City, New Jersey. Officials believe overcrowding and reckless speed contributed to the capsize. The U.S. Coast Guard had issued warnings earlier in the day about strong currents and choppy waters, but the boat—reportedly carrying at least 17 people—proceeded anyway. The captain, identified as 47-year-old Stephen Sewell, faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

This tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about unregulated “party boats” that ferry large groups across New York Harbor, often ignoring safety protocols. Such vessels have been linked to several fatal incidents in recent years, including a 2022 crash in the East River that killed two. Advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of licensing and passenger limits, especially near high-traffic tourist zones.

A court hearing is scheduled for next week. The U.S. Coast Guard has temporarily suspended uninspected passenger vessel operations in the area, while New York lawmakers are pushing for a ban on unlicensed group excursions. For families of those lost, the charges bring little comfort—but they could mark the start of stronger safeguards on the water.