On June 22, 1987, at approximately 1800, two commuter ferries operated by Direct Line Commuter Service, Inc., collided in Lower New York Bay during fog. The JACK W, a 110-foot aluminum ex-crew boat, was southbound from Manhattan to Highlands, New Jersey, with 126 passengers aboard. The JAMEY DOWNEY, a similar 99-foot boat, was northbound with only two passengers aboard. The operators of the vessels established a meeting agreement by VHF radio before they came in sight of each other. When they were about 150 feet apart, the JAMEY DOWNEY was sighted directly in the path of the JACK W. The port bow of the JACK W struck the port bow of the JAMEY DOWNEY. The JAMEY DOWNEY was traveling at an estimated speed of about 10 knots while the JACK W boat was traveling at an estimated speed of 17 to 18 knots. Each boat was able to proceed to the passenger terminal at Highlands under its own power. Sixteen passengers aboard the JACK W and 1 passenger aboard the JAMEY DOWNEY were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the collision between the commuter ferries JACK W and JAMEY DOWNEY was the failure of both operators to reduce speed in restricted visibility when a close quarters situation developed, the failure of the operator of the JAMEY DOWNEY to maintain a proper course after a meeting agreement had been established, and the failure of both operators to properly monitor their radars after establishing a meeting agreement before sighting each other visually.
Marine Accident Report - Collision of the Commuter Ferries JACK W and JAMEY DOWNEY, Lower New York Bay, June 22, 1987
1988
42 pages
Report
No indication
English
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