July 1, 2009 Staten Island Ferry boat's hard landing injures 14

NEW YORK (AP) - Fire department officials say a New York City ferry boat has hit a pier while docking, injuring 14 people. The injuries are minor.

The fire department says it appears the boat lost power before hitting the Staten Island dock Wednesday night. There's no damage to the boat but some damage to the pier.

The Staten Island Ferry has nine vessels that carry commuters between Staten Island and lower Manhattan. The 5-mile, 25-minute ride is free.

In 2003, a Staten Island Ferry boat with about 1,500 people aboard crashed into a pier at full speed, killing 11 people. The ferry's pilot had been taking painkillers and was suffering from extreme fatigue.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)