Staten Island - Can't Even Drive Boats S traight

“State Island Ferry Crashes Into Dock, Two Confirmed Dead

POSTED: 4:01 p.m. EDT October 15, 2003
UPDATED: 4:42 p.m. EDT October 15, 2003

NEW YORK -- Two people died when a Staten Island ferry crashed Wednesday as it was docking. At least least 10 people were severely injured after it slammed into the wooden pilings along the side of the dock. Some victims lost limbs in the accident.


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"There were numerous injuries like fractures and lacerations," said Fire Department spokeswoman Maria Lamberti. "There were a couple of people with amputations -- legs and arms."

The victims were taken to Staten Island University Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital following the accident around 3:20 p.m. Firefighters aboard the damaged ferry sifted through the rubble looking for victims.

"Everyone just jumped for their lives," rider Bob Carroll said. "It was like an absolute horror. ... The whole side of the boat looked like an opener on a can."

The accident occurred as the ship, the Andrew J. Barberi, arrived on the Staten Island end of its run across New York Harbor, said Mike Loughran, a fire department spokesman.

Justin Girard, a witness to the accident, said that he saw smoke and heard screams after the ferry crashed at the St. George Terminal. The front end of the ferry suffered extensive damage to the right side of its hull.

A debris field of about 400 yards surrounded the damaged boat, said Coast Guard Chief Dave French.

The ferry, which has three levels, has a capacity of 6,000, but it is unclear how many people were aboard at the time of the accident. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was attending the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox game, left Yankee Stadium to head to the scene.

The ship sustained a huge hole on its side, the official said, and debris may have fallen on some passengers.

The Department of Transportation confirmed the accident, but could provide nothing further.

The ferry carries 70,000 commuters per day on the 25-minute free ride between Staten Island and lower Manhattan. Five boats make 104 daily trips between the two boroughs.

The accident temporarily suspended service on the ferry, and closed down traffic on the lower level

On Sept. 19, 1997, a car plunged off the Andrew J. Barberi as it was docking in Staten Island, causing minor injuries to the driver and a deckhand who was knocked overboard by the car.
Copyright 2003 by WNBC.com The Associated”

“Yuck, I think the death toll is rising.

Once again...

You're safer on the trail than trying to get to it!”

“so far 12 people dead, 20 injured....

They are saying high winds might of caused it?”

“12 dead? OMG that's horrible. Geez, I hope no one I know was on that ferry. :(”

“Afterward, the ferry's captain went home and tried to commit suicide, sources said.

Law enforcement sources said police found the captain at his home, and a neighbor said an ambulance took him away on a stretcher.

A local government source and a police source said the man tried to commit suicide by slitting his wrists and using a pellet or BB gun.

OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!”

“alaska,when yah got to kill ur self theres no time to think what will work and what wont. its a spur of the moment type thing”

“LMAO, what does that mean?”

“Now, it seems that the Captain was supposed to be on medication and he didn't take it, or something of that nature. Pretty ugly footage of what ensued following the crash yesterday. All this amidst the Trees relocation to the Island...”

“"Now, it seems that the Captain was supposed to be on medication and he didn't take it, or something of that nature.

Oh no, ... Rush Limbaugh, ferry captain.”

“Now, did he miss the dock because he was on medication or because his big mouth was open so wide, he couldn't see the dock, GB?”

“"Everyone just jumped for their lives," rider Bob Carroll said.

I don't know what's more dangerous; staying on the boat or jumping into that nastya$$ water?”

“and you all wonder why i want to take my kayak to work....”