On October 15, 2003, at 15:21, the Staten Island Ferry's Andrew J. Barberi vessel crashed into a concrete pier at the St. George Ferry terminal. Eleven people were killed and 71 were injured, some of them with severed limbs. It was the worst accident in the ferry's 98-year history. October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lower Manhattan skyline from the deck of the Ferry, 2003 Main article: Transportation in New York City The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry operated by the New York City Department of Transportation between Whitehall Street at the southernmost tip of Manhattan near Battery Park (South Ferry) and St. ... The is shown in Lower New York Bay passing in front of the Statue of Liberty, in August 2004 . The Staten Island Ferryboat Andrew J. Barberi is one of two Barberi-class ferry boats operated as part of the Staten Island Ferry between Manhattan and Staten Island in New York... A pier on Lake Mapourika in New Zealand illustrates the simplest form of pier Southend Pier in England is the longest pleasure pier in the world, at 1. ...

The Accident

The 310-foot ferry was at the end of its five mile, twenty-five minute trip from Manhattan to Staten Island. On board were approximately 1,500 passengers (well below the maximum capacity of 6,000). Winds were particularly heavy that afternoon, with gusts of over 40 mph. The water in New York Harbor was described as "very choppy." The Borough of Manhattan, highlighted in yellow, lies between the East River and the Hudson River. ... Staten Island, in yellow, lies to the southwest of the rest of New York City. ...

Instead of docking, the ferry angled away from its berth and slammed full-speed into a concrete maintenance pier, a concrete platform supported by pilings. The pier ripped into the ferry's starboard side and tore into the boat's main deck where many passengers were crowding forward to depart. As the concrete slab entered the boat, passengers screamed and ran for cover. Some jumped into the 62 degree water. The accident, which took less than a minute, left a number of victims trapped in a massive debris pile of metal, glass, wood and flesh. The hull, however, sustained no damage, and the ferry was never in any danger of sinking.

On the upper deck, passengers waiting to exit turned and rushed back in a panic as the ferry struck the pier. Within a few moments, calm returned, and passengers saw no sign of the carnage immediately below them. No announcements were made, and the upper-deck crowd waited in complete ignorance for twenty minutes, until the vessel was turned around and finally docked at the other end. Even before it reached its berth, rescue workers arrived on shore to assist with the search for survivors.

Fatalities and Injuries

Ten people were killed instantly and 71 others were injured in the accident.

• All of the fatalities and injuries were to passengers in the main deck; passengers on the upper decks were not injured, but many were treated for shock.
• Among the dead was John P. Healy, a 44-year old father of four who was a survivor of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Paul Esposito, a 24-year old waiter was maimed when both of his legs were severed below the knee. He was rescued by Kerry Griffiths, a 34-year old nurse from the UK who was sightseeing on the ferry.
• On December 16, 2003, injured victim Debra Castro died, making her the 11th fatality of the accident. She had been in a drug-induced coma for two months.

A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly...

The Aftermath

Mayor Bloomberg promptly announced that the crash was an accident, allaying fears of a public still stunned by the 9/11 terrorist attacks (which killed a large number of Staten Island residents). A co-worker claimed to have seen the pilot asleep on duty, slumped over the controls. Two witnesses said the boat seemed to speed up just before the crash. Michael Bloomberg Michael Rubens Mike Bloomberg (born February 14, 1942) is a businessman and mayor of New York City. ... A sequential look at United Flight 175 crashing into the south tower of the World Trade Center The September 11, 2001 attacks (often referred to as 9/11—pronounced nine eleven or nine one one) consisted of a series of coordinated terrorist[1] suicide attacks upon the United States, predominantly... Staten Island, in yellow, lies to the southwest of the rest of New York City. ... Signal flag H(otel) - Pilot on Board A harbour pilot guides ships through the narrow, shallow and dangerous coastal waters between a harbour and the open sea. ...

The ferry's pilot, Richard Smith, attempted suicide by slitting his left wrist while still on the boat. He then slipped away so suddenly that he left his house keys. He was found shortly afterward at home (having apparently broken in). He had again tried to kill himself, this time by shooting himself twice in the chest with a pellet gun. He survived the second suicide attempt. Suicide (from Latin sui caedere, to kill oneself) is the act of willfully ending ones own life. ... Air guns are weapons that propel a bullet using compressed air or another gas, possibly liquefied. ...

It was later determined that Smith had lost consciousness while at the ship's controls. He had taken the painkillers Tramadol and Tylenol PM, both of which can cause drowsiness as a side effect. On August 4, 2004, Smith pled guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison on January 10, 2006. New York's former city ferry director, Patrick Ryan, was sentenced to a year and a day on similar charges. Tramadol (INN) (IPA: ) is an atypical opioid which is a centrally acting analgesic, used for treating moderate to severe pain. ... Tylenol PM is a tradename for a mixture of paracetamol and diphenhydramine, marketed as a combined analgesic and sedative. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 10 is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

The accident resulted in scores of lawsuits against the city. By 2004, 33 suits had been settled for $1.7 million, with other lawsuits pending. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The crash has been officially deemed an "Act of God," disturbing many survivors and New York City residents. ^[1] Nickname: Big Apple, City that never Sleeps, Gotham Location in the state of New York Coordinates: Country United States State New York Boroughs The Bronx Brooklyn Manhattan Queens Staten Island Settled 1613 Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Area    - City 1,214. ...

External links

• NYC ferry crash kills 10, injures dozens - Washington Times
• Ferry Pilot Sentenced - Sydney Morning Herald
• Staten Island Angel Memorial - website dedicated to victims of the accident
• P-A-U-L-I-E - website of Paul Esposito, the 24 year-old waiter who lost both his legs in the accident

References

1. ^ City Cites "Act of God" in Staten Island Crash. Retrieved on September 19, 2006.