Official: Electrical Failure Caused SI Ferry Crash
WCBS-TV 7/3/09
Authorities say the failure of a
transformer caused a Staten Island ferry to lose power and slam
into a pier.
Staten Island ferry Chief Operating Officer James DeSimone said
on Thursday that one of the transformers that helps regulate
power to the main propulsion engine broke down.
He told the Staten Island Advance that three other transformers
then deactivated. He said it's unclear why that happened.
Fifteen passengers were hurt when the ferry boat struck the wood
pilings lining slip No. 5 at St. George Ferry Terminal on
Wednesday night. All the injuries were minor.
The city Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard are
investigating the crash. It happened at the same terminal where
a 2003 ferry crash killed 11 people.
Ferry boats have propellers at both ends, and are supposed to
reverse thrust and slow down as they approach the dock. FDNY
Deputy Chief James Leonard explained that losing power during
the process is comparable to a car pulling into its garage with
no breaks.
"What we saw was superficial damage and we saw some damage to
the dock itself," FDNY Deputy Chief James Leonard said. "We had
15 total injuries and that included two NYPD officers and also
three crew members and 10 passengers."
One worker at the terminal saw The Marchi as it approached and
failed to slow down before impact.
"The boat came fast – Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang! Then everybody go
inside. Nobody outside," Nalla Nagan said.
The crash occurred at the same terminal where The Andrew Barberi
collided with a concrete pier, killing 11 passengers in 2003.
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