The boat, which is not closed cabin, had been chartered by a group of family and friends, McCarthy said.
The boat’s captain was in critical condition Tuesday, he added. Its owner had been on a Jet Ski following the vessel when it overturned.
“There’s a lot of commercial and recreational traffic during the day here,” said Inspector Anthony Russo, the commanding officer of the NYPD Harbor Unit. “You could have waves approaching from different directions. It takes some skill to operate in the Hudson River, so it could have been a contributing factor.”
Two NY Waterway ferries rescued nine people, said the agency, which manages ferries between New York City and New Jersey. Police divers also helped in the rescue, the NYPD said.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams called the incident a “devastating moment.”
“Our hearts go out to a group of people who were just using the water in our cities,” Adams said. “This is a devastating moment for them and those who were part of the families that were there.”