Woman and baby drown as boat capsizes near Statue of Liberty

A woman and her five-month-old baby died when a small boat capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor on Saturday night.

The boat, carrying four people, turned over around 9:30 p.m. near the Statue of Liberty. Two men, believed to be the woman’s partner and another adult, swam to shore and called 911. Emergency crews pulled the woman and baby from the water but were unable to revive them. The U.S. Coast Guard, NYPD, and FDNY responded within minutes, searching for about an hour before ending the operation. The names of the victims have not been released pending family notification.

Witnesses reported choppy water and strong winds at the time, conditions that can make small boats unstable. The area around Liberty Island sees heavy boat traffic, especially on weekends, as tourists and commuters travel to and from Manhattan. Officials said the boat was not operating under Coast Guard-approved safety guidelines, though it is unclear whether it was part of a commercial tour or a private vessel. A preliminary investigation suggests the boat may have been overloaded or improperly balanced. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a safety alert reminding operators of small vessels to follow weight limits and check weather conditions before departure.

The tragedy raises concerns about safety enforcement on vessels in one of the country’s busiest waterways. While major ferry and tour boats are regularly inspected, smaller private or chartered boats often receive less oversight. Local lawmakers are calling for stepped-up patrols and public awareness campaigns targeting weekend recreational boaters. The incident comes two months after a separate boat accident near Manhattan killed two people and injured several others, prompting renewed calls for stricter regulations. Funeral arrangements and further investigation are pending.