Ferry Captain Pleads the Fifth
At 10 a.m. Island ferry, Andrew J. Transportation Safety Board. incriminate him. before Board investigators for an interview. the future," said NTSB Chairman Ellen G. Engleman. and pilot. deck hands, and 4 engineers. impact, and after the accident. observations of the approach to St. day of the accident. records of both the Captain and the pilot. but safety recommendations may be issued at any time. is gathered.
Court Orders Ferry Captain to Appear Before NTSB
Photo Credit: USCG Photo/Mike Hvozda The outside lower level of the Staten Island Ferry Andrew J. Barberi after it struck a pier killing ten people October 15, 2003. The Captain of the Ferry was ordered to appear before the NTSB. Gansas, the master of the M/V Andrew J. tomorrow for an NTSB interview. NTSB Chairman Ellen G. Engleman. pursuing safety and using every tool at our disposal. investigation. the Staten Island ferry, Andrew J. 70 others.
Criminal Charges in Staten Island Ferry Crash
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued a release discussing the criminal charges arising out of the October 15, 2003 crash of the Staten Island ferry Andrew J. Barberi into the ferry terminal at St. George, an accident which killed 11 and injured dozens. The ferry pilot pled guilty to manslaughter. The director of ferry operations has been charged with manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making a false statement. A port captain has been charged with obstruction of justice and making a false statement. The ferry captain and a doctor have been charged with making false statements. Below are excerpts from the release. ROSLYNN R.
SI Ferry Captain Speaks
According to reports, the captain of the Staten Island ferry that slammed into a pier and killed 11 people when its assistant pilot fell asleep says he initially lied about where he was during the crash because he wanted to share the blame. "I felt I had a responsibility as a captain to shoulder some of the blame for the actions of (assistant pilot) Richard Smith," former Capt. Michael Gansas told WCBS-TV. He said he rushed from the rear of the ferry to the pilot house. "I noticed Richard Smith with his hands over his head, his eyes, and he was saying, `I must have dozed off. I fell asleep,"' Gansas said. The ferry, the Andrew J. Barberi, had crashed as it was docking on a run from Manhattan, tearing a 250-foot-long gash that ran 8 feet deep into its hull.
