Officials say NYC ferry crash was not a criminal act
Ferry Online Travel News 13/05/2010
Crash investigators say there is no evidence of crime in the Staten Island ferry crash.
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) say their probe has so far failed to find any evidence of criminal action in the ferry accident that left about three dozen people with injuries. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Monday the accident appears to have been the result of mechanical failure.
On Saturday, the Staten Island ferry, carrying 252 passengers and about 18 crew members slammed into Staten Island’s St. George Ferry Terminal. The vessel, called the Andrew J. Barbieri, was being piloted by assistant captain Maqbool Ahmed, while the captain was not far away on the bridge of the ship.
It is normal for the captain and the assistant captain to take turns at the helm as this gives them experience at different parts of the journey. According to the vessel’s engineer, all engines appeared to be operating normally. The engineer was in the engine control room and reported that no alarms sounded before the accident. Also, neither the ferry’s propulsion system nor its electrical system had suffered problems in the past.
NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt said there was no evidence that anyone cut power to the engines. Video footage from the bridge showed the correct procedures were used to slow the ferry. All crew members were tested for alcohol and drugs. Results have come back negative for alcohol. Drug results are still under review. Investigators have so far not ruled out anything in the case.
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