Dozens Injured as New York Party Yacht Crashes into Hudson River Pier During Birthday Celebration

A boat carrying about 400 passengers crashed into a dock near 125th Street in Manhattan on June 21, 2025

A festive birthday celebration turned into panic and injury on Saturday afternoon when a luxury party yacht carrying nearly 400 passengers slammed into a Hudson River pier in New York City, injuring dozens, according to officials and law enforcement sources.

The vessel, Timeless, was attempting to dock around 4:18 p.m. near West 125th Street and the Henry Hudson Parkway when a mooring line reportedly snapped, causing the yacht to collide with the pier. The impact jolted passengers, many of whom were preparing to disembark following a daytime cruise.

The passengers were on a birthday celebration ride

Zytin King, a New York City native celebrating her 69th birthday onboard with friends and family—a two-decade-long tradition—recalled the moment of the crash: “The boat was supposed to let us off at 4, so everybody was in the area where you can depart from the boat. Some people were coming down the stairs and the boat just ran into the dock. They fell—there was no support, nothing for them to grab onto. A lot of people were hurt really badly.”

Fire department officials confirmed that 35 individuals sustained minor injuries, and 23 were transported to local hospitals for further evaluation. Fortunately, no passengers were thrown overboard during the incident, according to emergency responders.

The passengers were on a birthday celebration ride

“It all happened so fast,” said one of King’s relatives. “I fell onto my mother when the boat crashed.”

Emergency responders assisted the 352 passengers and crew off the yacht, with some being escorted away in wheelchairs. Delores Mitchell, 69, who managed the catering for the event, recounted hearing several attendees say, “We are hurt, but we had a good time,” as they headed to ambulances.

Passengers getting off the boat

Despite the unsettling experience, King expressed gratitude that there were no serious injuries. “The DJ is already over there [in Harlem],” she said, reaffirming plans to continue the celebration. “We were blessed because people were standing along the side of the boat so when it hit, they could have gone over, but they didn’t.”

Timeless is a three-level vessel and the largest in the Empire Cruises charter fleet. It features three bars and a climate-controlled indoor seating area, accommodating up to 550 passengers. The yacht is often used for events such as weddings, proms, and private parties, with tickets typically priced at $120 per person.

An FDNY boat at the scene of the crash

The cause of the accident is still under investigation. The U.S. Coast Guard has taken over the case to determine what led to the mechanical failure and subsequent crash.