SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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Ferry ran into pilings

The "Spirit of America" allided with pilings afte ra loss of power in the early evening of May 17, 2013, while attempting to dock at the St. George Ferry Terminal. The ferry lost power as it arrived at Slip 6 at 6:22 p.m. and struck the pilings of an adjacent slip close to another vessel. There was no damage to the vessel. No one was injured. Several passengers said a brace for impact announcement was made about 30 seconds before the rough docking. There were 972 passengers aboard. A deckhand came running downstairs like something wasn't right and a minute later there was an announcement that said 'Be prepared for impact.' People were told by another boat worker to "back up and sit down." Though power has been restored to three of the vessel's drives, the boat remains out of service pending investigation of the cause. The Coast Guard has been advised and the crew was being routinely drug tested. Ferry service maintained its regular schedule throughout the evening.

Staten Island ferryboats to convert from diesel to liquefied natural gas

The Staten Island Ferry will receive $2,340,000 in federal funding for a pilot program for conversion from diesel fuel to liquefied natural gas, U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced yesterday, Silive reports. The funding, part of the federal Department of Transportation's Ferry Boat Discretionary Program, will pay to convert one Staten Island ferryboat from the use of ultra-low diesel fuel to clean-burning liquefied natural gas. The pilot program is designed to cut fuel costs for that ferry by nearly half, as well as reduce harmful emissions and increase reliance on domestic stocks of liquid natural gas that are less subject to price volatility. Read more http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/08/program_to_convert_staten_isla.html