Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Staten Island Ferry Crash Cause Determined
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 19, 2010
Modified Jun 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jun 19, 2010
Modified Jun 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A report by the National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the Andrew J. Barberi's propulsion system was "possibly defective" at the time of the May 8th crash, which injured 48 people. The ferry had passed inspections less than a month before the crash, but Coast Guard spokesman Charles Rowe reassuringly told the Daily News, "Any mechanical device can, for any variety of reasons, go wrong at any single moment."
The Andrew J. Barberi has had a reputation of disaster since its engine died during the maiden voyage. It was also responsible for the 2003 crash that left 11 dead and many more injured. The ship apparently had propulsion problems before it left the Wisconsin shipyard in 2005, causing its arrival to be delayed by weeks. Sister ships the Marchi and the Guy V. Molinari have also had propulsion problems, but officials say problems are common in custom-made ships like these. The Andrew J. Barberi will join the fleet tomorrow for the first time since the crash.
Tagged
andrew j. barberi
ferry
ferry crash
staten island ferry
staten island ferry crash
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC ambulance response times have grown 41% as life-threatening calls rise
A city comptroller’s report points to ambulance maintenance problems and low pay for EMTs and paramedics as factors contributing to longer waits.
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mamdani and 100+ NY officials urge parking lot owners to ban ICE
The officials released a letter on Friday that asks the owners of parking lots and garages not to rent, lend or otherwise make their property available to ICE.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Mamdani and 100+ NY officials urge parking lot owners to ban ICE
The officials released a letter on Friday that asks the owners of parking lots and garages not to rent, lend or otherwise make their property available to ICE.
By
Arya Sundaram
Federal judge tosses Trump administration lawsuit challenging NYC sanctuary laws
By
Phil Corso
2 men charged in fatal fentanyl poisoning of NYC college student, alleged rape
By
Giulia Heyward
NYC spending on homelessness has soared. So has the number of people on the street.
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .