By:  Russ Spencer

A festive birthday celebration aboard a luxury charter yacht turned into a harrowing afternoon of panic and injury Saturday after the vessel slammed into a pier on the Hudson River, injuring dozens and prompting a large emergency response. The three-story yacht, The Timeless, operated by Empire Cruises and carrying nearly 400 passengers and crew, was attempting to dock near West 125th Street and the Henry Hudson Parkway when it violently collided with the pier just after 4:15 p.m., The New York Post reported on Saturday.

According to law enforcement officials and multiple eyewitness accounts, the accident occurred when a docking line suddenly snapped, sending the yacht careening into the pier at a critical moment—just as passengers had gathered near the lower deck in preparation to disembark.

What began as a jubilant milestone for Zytin King, a Harlem native celebrating her 69th birthday with family and friends aboard the Hudson River cruiser, quickly devolved into panic. “Some people are coming down the stairs and the boat just ran into the dock,” King told The New York Post. “There was no support, nothing for them to grab onto. Some people fell inside of the boat. A lot of people were hurt really badly.”

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as passengers were thrown off balance by the force of the impact, several tumbling down stairs or onto the deck, including elderly celebrants and family members.

One relative told The New York Post, “I fell onto my mother when the boat crashed. It all happened so fast.”

According to the FDNY, at least 35 people sustained minor injuries, with 23 transported to area hospitals for further evaluation. Fortunately, no passengers were thrown overboard, officials confirmed, crediting quick response and the vessel’s structural integrity for averting greater tragedy.

The Timeless is no ordinary sightseeing vessel. As detailed on its official website and highlighted in The New York Post report, it is the largest ship in the Empire Cruises fleet, boasting three full bars, a climate-controlled indoor seating area, and space for up to 550 guests. Designed to host upscale events ranging from weddings and proms to corporate galas and private birthday parties, the yacht is a prominent fixture on New York’s event circuit, charging around $120 per guest for private cruises.

Saturday’s voyage was one of countless festive outings for the vessel, though this incident has cast a spotlight on Empire Cruises, which could not be reached for comment. Their operational protocols, maintenance standards, and crew training will likely come under scrutiny as the U.S. Coast Guard launches a full investigation into the cause of the crash.

Despite the injuries and shock, many passengers echoed a sentiment of gratitude and resilience. “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,” said King, who, remarkably, continued her celebration undeterred. “The DJ is over there already,” she added, gesturing toward Harlem, where the party was set to resume.

Delores Mitchell, 69, who was overseeing the catering for the event, described the bittersweet aftermath: “I heard people going to the ambulance saying, ‘We are hurt, but we had a good time.’”

Passengers, some escorted off the yacht in wheelchairs, remained stoic and cooperative as first responders from the FDNY, NYPD, and EMS units worked to stabilize the scene. Several of the injured were treated on-site for bruises, sprains, and minor contusions, while others were taken to Harlem and Lincoln hospitals for precautionary scans.

Although the full cause of the accident remains unknown, preliminary reports point to a mechanical or structural failure of a mooring line. As The New York Post report noted, maritime safety protocols require secure docking lines and constant monitoring of tension during the final moments of docking—a phase that becomes especially critical when large numbers of passengers are near disembarkation areas.

The U.S. Coast Guard, which has jurisdiction over navigable waterways and commercial passenger vessels, will spearhead the investigation. That probe is expected to examine everything from crew competency and vessel maintenance to weather conditions and passenger load distribution.

While mechanical failure appears likely, officials are not ruling out human error or inadequate safety protocols, especially given the number of guests on board and the timing of the accident.

As The New York Post report emphasized, the incident has raised broader concerns about the safety of New York City’s increasingly popular charter yacht industry. With high-end cruises becoming a staple for celebrations and tourism, questions loom about oversight, emergency preparedness, and passenger awareness on such vessels.

In the case of The Timeless, the crash may have ended without fatalities—but the proximity to tragedy is not lost on survivors. For Zytin King and her family, the moment of joy turned frightening serves as a sobering reminder that luxury on the water must never come at the expense of vigilance and preparedness.

“Next time,” she told The New York Post, “we’re staying on land.”