Boat Captain Sentenced to Prison After NYC Capsizing Incident Claims Woman and Child’s Lives
NEW YORK—On Thursday, prosecutors announced that the captain of an unlicensed tour boat, which capsized in the Hudson River resulting in the deaths of a woman and a 7-year-old child, received an 18-month prison sentence.
Richard Cruz, 33, entered a guilty plea in October on charges related to misconduct and neglect specific to boating. According to court documents, he acknowledged that he exceeded the boat’s capacity — known as Stimulus Money — and lacked the necessary Coast Guard credentials to transport paying customers.
The incident occurred on July 12, 2022, near Manhattan’s West Side, when the boat overturned, throwing all 13 passengers overboard. Tragically, the woman, 48, and the young boy were reportedly trapped beneath the vessel and did not survive.
U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, based in Manhattan, emphasized in a statement that this case serves as a warning to commercial boat captains that “there will be consequences when they disregard federal regulations and safety protocols designed to protect passengers.”
According to her office, Cruz was operating the boat at high speeds, despite warnings issued to small boat operators about adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and rough seas.
A request for comment was directed to Cruz’s legal representative.
Related Stories
Additionally, Cruz, who resides in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was ordered to pay $50,000 in funeral expenses for the victims, as reported by prosecutors.
