SEASTREAK Ferry Accident Injures 57 Passengers, One Critically

This New York Post video discusses the SEASTREAK WALL STREET commuter ferry that crashed into a pier in lower Manhattan on January 9, 2013. The New York Police Department said 57 people were injured, one of them critically. A spokesman for the New York Fire Department told the New York Times that the cause of the ferry accident was not immediately clear.

“Basically it was sixty to zero,” passenger Steve Mann told the Times. “When we hit the dock everybody went flying.”

“There was a large jolt,” passenger Elizabeth Banta told CNN. “It felt like we were in a car crash. … Several people were thrown into the air and onto the ground.”

SEASTREAK WALL STREET was operated by Seastreak Ferry, which the Times noted provides daily service from Atlantic Highlands and Conners Highlands in New Jersey to Lower Manhattan. Seastreak President James R. Barker told NBC News that there were 300 people on the SEASTREAK WALL STREET and that many of those who were injured were thrown from their seats.

The SEASTREAK WALL STREET crash recalled the MV ANDREW J. BARBERI accident in October 2003, when the Staten Island Ferry missed its dock and hit a maintenance pier at full speed, killing 11 people and injuring 70 others. Pilot Richard Smith had passed out at the helm, and both he and his supervisor were sentenced to more than a year in prison each for their roles in the accident. In May 2010, the same vessel was involved in another accident that injured around 40 people.

In this crash, the investigation will be critical in determining what was the cause of the crash.  In addition to interviewing the crew members, passengers and witnesses, the United States Coast Guard will be examining the navigational equipment on the vessel which will provide information as to the speed and course of the vessel immediately prior to the crash.

Through the years, this firm have represented hundreds of passengers who have been injured on ferries. We have obtained compensation for individuals who were hurt when the vessels were involved in collisions and fires, as well as other instances of owner and operator negligence such as faulty equipment oraccidents involving slippery decks, stairs or ladders. You can find more information about how our Boston maritime trial lawyers help injured passengers by visiting our website.

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a ferry accident, you may be entitled to payment for medical bills, impairment of earning capacity and pain and suffering, in addition to other costs. Use the form on this page to let our Boston maritime attorneys review your case or contact our firm right now at (800) 392-6072 to set up a free initial consultation.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Boston maritime trial lawyers