Ep 6. Death on the Staten Island Ferry

On the sixth episode of the second season of "Disasters at Sea", titled "Death on the Staten Island Ferry," viewers are taken back to the morning of November 22, 2003, when the Andrew J. Barberi ferry departed Manhattan's Whitehall Terminal headed for the St. George Terminal in Staten Island. This seemingly routine trip turned into one of the worst disasters in the history of the Staten Island Ferry system.

The episode explores the events leading up to the disaster, as well as the aftermath of the incident. Interviews are conducted with survivors, eyewitnesses, ferry crew members, and investigators who were involved in the investigation of the disaster.

Through reenactments and interviews with those present, viewers learn that on that fateful day, the ferry was carrying 1,500 passengers and crew members, making it the busiest mode of transport used by commuters between Manhattan and Staten Island. However, as the ferry made its way toward Staten Island, something went terribly wrong.

The episode dives into what happened on the ferry that led to the disaster. It is revealed that the ship's pilot, Richard J. Smith, lost control of the vessel as it approached the terminal. The ferry crashed into a concrete maintenance pier at the St. George Terminal, which ripped open the vessel's port side, causing water to rush in and passengers to be tossed around like rag dolls.

The panicked passengers struggled to escape the sinking vessel and get to the safety of the open deck as water flooded the ferry. However, with lifeboats and escape slides not being easily accessed, the passengers and crew had nowhere to go. Within seconds, chaos broke out as passengers tried to escape through windows, doors, and other available openings in the hull.

As a result of the disaster, 11 people lost their lives, and dozens more were injured. The episode also explores the investigation into the incident and the roles of various officials involved in the inquiry. It also includes interviews with people who were directly affected by the disaster, such as family members of the deceased and survivors.

As the episode progresses, viewers see the aftermath of the disaster as the families of the victims struggle to cope with their losses, and injured survivors try to rebuild their lives. It truly examines the devastating impact of a maritime disaster not just on those on board but also on the families of the victims and the wider community.

Overall, "Death on the Staten Island Ferry" is a gripping episode that presents a thorough examination of the disaster and its aftermath. Through interviews with those involved, it provides incredible insight into the harrowing events of that day and the impact that it had on so many lives. It also raises important questions about safety regulations and protocols and how they can be improved to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.