Federal investigators say a captain's error led to a ferry crash that injured 80 people last year in Lower Manhattan.

A gash in the Seastreak ferry following a ferry accident during rush hour in Lower Manhattan in 2013 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A gash in the Seastreak ferry following a ferry accident during rush hour in Lower Manhattan in 2013 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
loading...

National Transportation Safety Board investigators released the findings Tuesday.

They say Jason Reimer "inadvertently" left the Seastreak Wall Street running on a seldom-used backup system.

Reimer switched to the backup after sensing a propeller vibration during the trip from New Jersey. They say he failed to switch back as the vessel approached an East River pier.

Investigators blamed Seastreak for "ineffective oversight" and say Reimer's error was compounded by a lack of training.

The board also renewed a call to equip vessels with data recorders.

Seastreak did not immediately respond to a comment request.

A message left at a number listed under Reimer's name was not immediately returned.

 

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

 

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM