A New Jersey man accused of running illegal boat tours allegedly ignored multiple safety warnings before an overcrowded New York Harbor excursion turned deadly, killing a 5-month-old baby and her 27-year-old mother.Manuel Hernandez, 46, of Manville, was charged Monday with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death after the Yamaha AR210 he was piloting capsized Saturday night.Hernandez appeared Monday before U.S.Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo on the two charges, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.DRUNK REPEAT OFFENDER CALLED A 'TICKING TIME-BOMB' BEFORE 80-MPH BOATING COLLISION KILLED WOMAN: PROSECUTORSCourtroom sketch of Manuel Hernandez, 46, during his federal court appearance following the deadly New York Harbor boat capsizing.
(Jane Rosenberg)Federal prosecutors say Hernandez was not licensed to carry paying passengers, had 14 people aboard a boat with a maximum capacity of 10 and knowingly took the infant out without an appropriate life vest.According to the federal complaint, it was not Hernandez’s first time allegedly taking paying customers onto New York Harbor without the required credentials.After his arrest, Hernandez allegedly told investigators he had previously piloted at least two other boat tours for the same tour company using his own vessel.He allegedly acknowledged he lacked the required Merchant Mariner Credential and Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for those trips and said he was paid about $1,000 for each.COAST GUARD OPENS FIRE ON BOAT SMUGGLING 25 CHINESE NATIONALS NEAR FLORIDA AFTER IT REFUSED TO STOPA social media advertisement from the tour operator promoted boat charters for up to 12 people for $1,200 over four hours, according to the federal complaint.(U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York)Coast Guard Investigative Service Assistant Director Josh Packer said illegal charter operations "gamble with human life.""In this case, the alleged condu...