NEW YORK — The captain responsible for an unauthorized tour boat tragedy on the Hudson River was sentenced to 18 months in prison following a heart-wrenching incident that resulted in the deaths of a woman and her 7-year-old child.
Richard Cruz, 33, pleaded guilty in October to charges of misconduct and negligence in relation to boating operations. According to court documents, Cruz admitted to overloading his boat, named Stimulus Money, and failing to obtain the necessary Coast Guard credentials for taking passengers on board.
On July 12, 2022, the boat capsized with all 13 passengers on board, leading to a tragic sequence of events near Manhattan’s West Side. Prosecutors reported that the 48-year-old woman and the young boy tragically drowned after being trapped beneath the vessel.
U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon emphasized the importance of adhering to boating regulations, stating that this case serves as a warning to commercial boat operators about the serious consequences of neglecting federal safety protocols designed to protect passengers.
Prosecutors noted that Cruz had been operating the boat at high speeds, despite advisories regarding hazardous weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy seas.
Cruz, a resident of Elizabeth, New Jersey, has also been ordered to pay $50,000 toward the funeral expenses of the victims.
