On the afternoon of October 17, the 35 meter long sightseeing sternwheeler passenger ship Sir Winston (MMSI: 368333930) allided on the East River near Williamsburg Bridge in New York. The Sir Winston was attempting to berth at a pier when it lost propulsion when an air valve broke and the vessel went adrift.
The Sir Winston drifted towards a private dock and asked for assistance, but the people on the dock refused to assist the sternwheeler. The vessel continue to drift down the river when it struck a railway barrier near the bridge. Authorities received a distress call with the New York Fire Department along with the United States Coast Guard responding. The 75 meter long tugboat Henry Girls (MMSI: 368327980) was dispatched to assist. The tug towed the sternwheeler to Pier 36 safely. There were no injuries to the 50 passengers and 5 crew on board the Sir Winston. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
