Luxury Party Yacht Collides with Pier During Celebration

A celebration on a luxury yacht in New York City turned chaotic when the vessel, carrying nearly 400 people, crashed into a Hudson River pier on Saturday afternoon, resulting in multiple injuries.

The incident occurred around 4:18 p.m. as the yacht, named the Timeless, attempted to dock at West 125th Street near Henry Hudson Parkway. Officials report that a snapped line caused the boat to strike the pier, leading to a sudden collision.

One passenger, celebrating her 69th birthday and part of a longstanding holiday tradition, described the scene: “Some people were coming down the stairs, and the boat just ran into the dock. They fell, with no support for balance, and some fell inside the boat. Many were hurt badly.”

Fire officials stated that approximately 35 individuals suffered minor injuries, with 23 taken to hospitals for examination. No one was thrown overboard during the accident, and no fatalities were reported.

Witnesses described the moment of impact as rapid and startling. “I fell onto my mother when the boat crashed,” recounted one relative. “It all happened so fast.”

The passengers were evacuated—some in wheelchairs—following the collision. An injured passenger was seen being carried off the vessel in a wheelchair. Despite the scare, many aboard expressed relief that no serious injuries occurred, and one party promoter mentioned that the event would continue as planned.

The vessel, the largest in the Empire Cruises fleet, features three bars and an indoor climate-controlled seating area with capacity for 550 passengers, offering cruises along the Hudson River. The company charges $120 per person for various events, including weddings and parties.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Coast Guard, while the vessel sustains visible damage on its rear. Authorities confirmed that no one was swept overboard, and the incident is now under review to determine the exact circumstances behind the collision.