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NY ferry in collision with pier NY ferry in collision with pier
(about 22 hours later)
A ferry has crashed into a pier on New York's Staten Island injuring 37 people, officials say.A ferry has crashed into a pier on New York's Staten Island injuring 37 people, officials say.
None were seriously hurt in the collision, which was said to have been caused by a mechanical fault.None were seriously hurt in the collision, which was said to have been caused by a mechanical fault.
The Andrew J Barberi ferry has a history of accidents. In 2003, 11 people were killed when it crashed into a pier on Staten Island.The Andrew J Barberi ferry has a history of accidents. In 2003, 11 people were killed when it crashed into a pier on Staten Island.
The ferry, which connects the island with Manhattan, hit the St George Ferry Terminal at 0920 (0320GMT) on Saturday.The ferry, which connects the island with Manhattan, hit the St George Ferry Terminal at 0920 (0320GMT) on Saturday.
Janette Sadik-Khan, commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, said that it appeared that the captain could not slow down as the boat approached the dock because the throttle did not engage.Janette Sadik-Khan, commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, said that it appeared that the captain could not slow down as the boat approached the dock because the throttle did not engage.
"It looks like there was a mechanical problem," she said."It looks like there was a mechanical problem," she said.
She said 17 of the 37 people injured were taken to hospitals, but none suffered serious injuries.She said 17 of the 37 people injured were taken to hospitals, but none suffered serious injuries.
The ferry was carrying 252 passengers and 18 crew.The ferry was carrying 252 passengers and 18 crew.
'Brake, brake''Brake, brake'
Passenger Jason Watler, 30, said he noticed the ferry was approaching the shore at a faster speed than usual.Passenger Jason Watler, 30, said he noticed the ferry was approaching the shore at a faster speed than usual.
He says he then ran to the back of the boat, before hearing a "real big boom".He says he then ran to the back of the boat, before hearing a "real big boom".
"I stumbled a little bit," he told AP news agency."I stumbled a little bit," he told AP news agency.
"People were screaming. People were crying"."People were screaming. People were crying".
A New York City Police Department (NYPD) spokesman told the BBC that the ferry had made a "hard landing".A New York City Police Department (NYPD) spokesman told the BBC that the ferry had made a "hard landing".
The ferry was dislodged from the dock about five hours after the crash and taken to a nearby pier.The ferry was dislodged from the dock about five hours after the crash and taken to a nearby pier.
The service was suspended following the collision, but back in operation by late morning.The service was suspended following the collision, but back in operation by late morning.
Alex Gonzalez, 36, said he saw a woman and a child thrown about 10 feet (3m) from the impact.Alex Gonzalez, 36, said he saw a woman and a child thrown about 10 feet (3m) from the impact.
"It was the scariest thing of my life," he said."It was the scariest thing of my life," he said.
Another passenger, quoted by Reuters, said the ferry was going too quickly as it approached the dock.Another passenger, quoted by Reuters, said the ferry was going too quickly as it approached the dock.
"I heard over the loudspeaker someone say 'brake, brake,' and it just bounced off," he said."I heard over the loudspeaker someone say 'brake, brake,' and it just bounced off," he said.
The same ferry crashed into the same terminal in 2003 at full speed, killing 11 people and injuring 70.The same ferry crashed into the same terminal in 2003 at full speed, killing 11 people and injuring 70.
The captain at the time was sentenced to 18 months in prison, after it was found that he had passed out due to doses of painkillers.The captain at the time was sentenced to 18 months in prison, after it was found that he had passed out due to doses of painkillers.
The city ferry director was also found guilty of failing to enforce a rule of two drivers for docking and charged with negligent manslaughter.The city ferry director was also found guilty of failing to enforce a rule of two drivers for docking and charged with negligent manslaughter.
The Staten Island Ferry transports 20 million people a year between Staten Island and lower Manhattan.The Staten Island Ferry transports 20 million people a year between Staten Island and lower Manhattan.

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