Judge Sentences Two to Prison for Staten Island Ferry Crash

By Carol Kennedy

Published on January 11, 2006

Richard J. Smith, the assistant captain who was at the helm of the vessel on the day it slammed into a concrete pier on Staten Island, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of seaman's manslaughter. Patrick Ryan, director of ferry operations at the time, pleaded guilty to failing to enforce ferry regulations.

Several of the victim's family members attended the emotionally charged hearing

The crash occurred on October 15, 2003 and there have been more than 190 civil lawsuits filed since that time, seeking more than $3.3 billion. Many of the issues center around the city's failure to enforce a two-pilot rule, which requires two captains be present in the wheelhouse when the vessel docks.

Mr. Smith unsuccessfully attempted suicide after the crash. It was later discovered that Mr. Smith had been taking painkillers.

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