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To my knowledge the Steamship Authority hasn't had an incident of this magnitude in all it's years.
From what little information that I have been able to glean from the reports published thus far the Pilot was in the wheelhouse alone. The Captain was out of the wheelhouse doing who knows what at this stage of the investigation.
I do not know what the "Manning Documents" call for on that New York Ferry but either some major changes have been allowed or the vessel was severly undermanned.
When I come up through the Hawse Pipe to gain my Masters papers the Captain was always in the wheelhouse unless the vessel was tied to the pier or beyond the sea buoy. The Pilot would also be in the wheelhouse and would give the steering orders to the helmsman or wh#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&. The Captain is/was in command but the Pilot had the responsibility of giving the course and speed orders.
Possibly due to some reason unknown to me the manning document on that ferry may not require a wh#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& but I cannot imagine the Coast Guard not requiring the Captain and Pilot to be on duty in ther wheelhouse. If they were sailing with dual licenses, ie Captain also licensed as Pilot there should still be another person present. A Lookout. On that size vessel I cannot imagine it being allowed to be operated with only one person in the wheelhouse.
Also, it has always been my understanding that any Licensed Officer who has knowledge of any defect in his personal health that could cause him to become unable to fulfill his duty should remove himself from the position of responsibility. This Pilot apparently suffered from some blood pressure condition and either forgot to take his medication or some how ran out of it. Either way it would appear that he has a great amount of negligence to carry in this incident. I guess that is why he went home and did what he did.
May God have mercy upon him.
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