Jul 3, 2009 10:32 am US/Eastern
Official: Electrical Failure Caused SI Ferry Crash
STATEN ISLAND (CBS) ―
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(File)
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
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.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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