The National Transportation Safety Board today began their investigation into the crash of the Staten Island Ferry boat that crashed into a pier at the St. George Terminal on Staten Island yesterday.
Officials said that they have already administered drug and alcohol tests to the crew. All alcohol tests came back negative and they are awaiting results on the drug tests. 17 of the crew members have already been interviewed, a NTSB official told examiner.com. Captain Donald Russell, who was piloting the vessel when it crashed will be interviewed tomorrow.
Investigators have already examined the boat itself and the underwater investigation indicated no damage to the hull. Officials are reviewing video from surrounding cameras as the investigation continues.
"This is still an ongoing investigation," said NTSB spokesman Terry Williams in an E-mail. "We will continue the fact gather, on-scene phase for another three to five days."
Williams said that the investigation and analysis will likely take 12 - 18 months.
The ferry crashed into the Staten Island terminal at approximately 9:25 a.m., fire officials said. 252 passengers and 18 crew members were on board at the time. In total 39 people were injured; all but one have been treated and released from the hospital. The Andrew J. Barberi was also involved in a 2003 wreck that killed 11 people. That accident occurred when the pilot, suffering from extreme fatigue and on painkillers, passed out at the wheel and the boat hit the terminal in St. George at full speed. The ferry returned to service after a multi-million dollar rehabilitation.
The NTSB said that the Department of Transportation, which operates the ferry service is cooperating with their investigation and while other agencies are free to investigate, they will provide a "comprehensive and independent analysis."
"Throughout the next few days our experts will work on scene to gather the details of the accident," said NTSB board member Robert Sumwalt. "Our mission is to find out not just what happened but to find out why it happened so that we can make recommendations to prevent the type of recurrence in the future."
This is the third time in the past seven years that a Staten Island Ferry boat has crashed, causing concern on the part of Rep. Michael McMahon (D - Staten Island/Brooklyn), who is calling for congressional hearings.
"Our concern is that anytime anyone gets off the Staten Island Ferry they're safe, said McMahon.
The ferry provides service between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island
Examiner.com will continue to bring you the latest on this developing story.
- Myles N. Miller contributed to this report
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