A Manhattan-bound ferry smashed into part of the Belford Ferry Terminal's pier Tuesday morning, shattering more than 10 windows as commuters scrambled to the upper deck before the boat completed its trip across the harbor. The Molly Pitcher was leaving the Middletown terminal at around 6:30 a.m. when it struck the pier's banking system, according to wpgtalkradio.com. No injuries requiring medical attention were reported among passengers or crew.
The vessel, operated by NY Waterway, continued on to Manhattan after the collision rather than returning to port, according to Patch, which reported that passengers said more than 10 windows were smashed in the impact. Crew members moved riders to the top deck, and the Molly Pitcher was taken out of service for repairs once it safely reached Manhattan. NY Waterway said the pier's banking system contacted the ferry as it was departing, according to ABC7 New York.
A passenger identified as Erika Rech said the ferry hit a pylon hard enough to shatter cabin windows and send glass onto riders, according to NJ.com. The outlet reported the ferry appeared to continue toward Manhattan without slowing or stopping after the impact. Officials have not disclosed the precise cause of the collision.
County Says It Learned of the Crash From Riders, Not the Ferry Operator
Monmouth County officials said they found out about the incident from ferry passengers rather than directly from NY Waterway, per Daily Voice. NY Waterway said it has been keeping county officials closely advised about the corrective action it is taking, according to the same ABC7 report cited above. The company is responsible under its agreement with the county for its vessels, captains, and ensuring compliance with U.S. Coast Guard requirements and regulations, per that report.
Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Commissioner Director, said he was appalled by NY Waterway's handling of the Belford terminal incident, according to NJ.com's reporting, and said the county was exploring all options — including potential legal action — to hold the operator accountable. NY Waterway apologized to Belford customers for the incident, the outlet reported. About 1,100 Monmouth County residents rely on the Belford-to-Manhattan ferry every weekday, according to the same account.
A Rocky Start for a New Operator
NY Waterway took over the Belford-to-Manhattan route on Sept. 8, returning after SeaStreak replaced it in 2022; before SeaStreak took over, NY Waterway had held the contract for 20 years, according to NJ.com's August report. In the weeks since the switch, the company's service has drawn a growing number of complaints from riders, according to app.com. Ferry commuters circulated a petition seeking a county review of NY Waterway's performance, reliability, capacity and commuter experience, with signers also asking for SeaStreak's return, per the same reporting. The petition cited frequent delays, overcrowded morning ferries, fewer evening travel options, inadequate onboard amenities and the lack of a bathroom on some morning vessels.
The route has been the subject of a long legal fight over who should run it. An appellate court panel ruled on April 2, 2024, that Monmouth County had to rebid the ferry contract, according to NJ.com's August report. Separately, a New Jersey court case, A-0776-22, Port Imperial Ferry Corp. v. Monmouth County, is listed in state court records tied to the contract dispute, though the available filing does not detail the court's substantive ruling.
Fleet-Wide Scrutiny Follows the Collision
The Molly Pitcher is a 109-by-31-by-6-foot all-aluminum catamaran built to carry up to 400 riders and crew combined, according to WorkBoat. County and township officials called for unannounced inspections following the collision.
