Cruise Ship Crashes Into Manhattan Pier

NEW YORK -- News 4 New York has obtained exclusive cell phone video of the Norwegian Spirit crashing into Pier 90 near West 50th Street Sunday morning.

The incident happened at about 8:45 a.m.

Witnesses said the ship, returning from an 8-day cruise exploring the eastern Caribbean, was trying to dock at Peer 88.

An experienced worker on the pier told News 4 New York that tug boats normally pull cruise liners into their spots because it is such a small space, but he said the tough right turn was left to the captain on Sunday.

The turn was too wide, crashing the bow of the ship into the pier.

The crash damaged the bow of the ship, authorities said.

Some passengers felt the crash while others said they did not even know it happened.

"I heard a 'rumble brrrrr' the window shook and everything, it was something to see," said Scott Simmons of Rhode Island.

City Buildings, Office of Emergency Management and Coast Guard personnel were on scene to evaluate the damage to the pier and ship.

The city Buildings Department told The Associated Press that the accident damaged beams supporting upper-level parking lots at Pier 90 on the Hudson River, but the agency said there is no danger of a collapse.

Norwegian Cruise Lines representatives did not immediately respond to telephone and e-mail messages from The Associated Press.

The cruise line's Web site said the Norwegian Spirit was due in to New York Sunday morning after a jaunt to the Caribbean. It carries about 2,000 passengers and 1,100 crew members.

No injuries were reported.