NTSB Releases Files on October 2003 Staten Island Ferry Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) still has many months until it reports the final conclusions about the crash of the "Andrew J. Barberi," which left 11 people dead. However, it did release 2,591 pages of investigative files to the public.

Some interesting points are made in the released pages, including:

Patrick Ryan, former Director of Ferry Operations, had not made it clear to the Staten Island ferry personnel that under the two-pilot rule, two licensed pilots had to be on the ferry controls at all times. Prosecutors are going after Mr. Ryan for the lack of enforcement of that rule and other safety procedures.

The ferry hit the pier at full throttle and tore open the entire length of the starboard side of the ferry, sending steel and debris into hundreds of screaming passengers. Accordingly, the NTSB report is focusing on a mariner's physical fitness and crowd control during ferry dockings.

The assistant pilot, Richard Smith, who was under the influence of drugs, blacked out. He also lied on his Coast Guard physical exam forms to hide that he had been on medication since 1986. He also lied on the certificate form that is required to renew his federal license in 1986, 1989, 1995, and 2000, which concealed his high blood pressure, a herniated disk, and a need for prescription hypertension and pain medicine.

Blood and urine tests found Tramadol, a painkiller, and dphenhydramine, an over-the-counter sleeping aid, in Smith's body the day of the accident. Smith has already pleaded guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter and has admitted that he collapsed at the helm from the effects of the medicine and fatigue.

The City of New York is trying to limit its liability in the case to $110 million, but claims from the families of the dead and injured have already filed $3.2 billion.