A New Jersey man accused of operating unlicensed boat tours in New York Harbor has been federally charged after an overcrowded vessel capsized, killing a five-month-old baby and her 27-year-old mother. Prosecutors allege Manuel Hernandez ignored repeated safety warnings before the fatal excursion, raising questions about oversight of unregistered charter operations in busy waterways near the Statue of Liberty.

Hernandez, 46, of Manville, New Jersey, was charged on Monday with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer. The Saturday night capsizing near the Statue of Liberty left two dead and 12 others rescued from the water, according to authorities.