Boat capsizes in New York Harbor, woman and baby die

A woman and a five-month-old baby died Sunday after their boat capsized in New York Harbor near the Statue of Liberty, authorities said.

Rescue crews pulled 12 people from the water after responding to a distress call around 11 a.m., but the 27-year-old woman and the infant were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The boat, described as a 20-foot recreational vessel, was carrying at least 14 people when it overturned, according to police. Investigators have not yet determined why the boat capsized, but rough water conditions and overcrowding are being examined as possible factors.

The accident unfolded in one of the city’s busiest waterways, where hundreds of ferries, tour boats and private vessels pass daily. Officials said the boat was not a licensed passenger vessel, which means it was not subject to the same safety regulations as commercial boats. Police are interviewing survivors to piece together what happened in the moments before the boat tipped. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are assisting with the investigation.

Family members of the victims were at the scene, and a makeshift memorial of flowers and candles quickly formed near Battery Park. The tragedy has reignited calls for stricter oversight of recreational boating, especially on crowded summer weekends. Authorities urge all boat operators to follow capacity limits and wear life jackets. The city has seen a rise in boating incidents this year, raising concerns about water safety enforcement.