Passengers moved to rescue boat after ferry strikes sandbar in Lower Manhattan

LOWER MANHATTAN, New York (WABC) -- Ferry passengers were off-loaded onto a rescue boat following an incident in Lower Manhattan.

The crew of the MV Zelinsky has had better days. About 50 feet after leaving Pier 11 headed for the Rockaways, the boats propeller hit the dirt.

It happened near the South Street Seaport around 5:15 p.m. Monday.

How much the tide was to blame and how much the crew was to blame is all part of the investigation, but not all of the 123 people on board thought the crew handled it well.

The passengers put on their life jackets, even as the captain kept trying to free the boat.

The tide eventually raised the boat enough for it to move, though it has a hole in the hull from running aground.

The fire department transported the passengers back to the pier, where they boarded another boat headed for the Rockaways. As for what went wrong, it's not yet clear.

This is not one of the new NYC Ferry craft. It is an older vessel owned by Hornblower and used as a spare for NYC Ferry service.

NYPD Harbor and FDNY Marine Division are operating six gas powered pumps to dewater the vessel which remains stuck.

A spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement saying, "This evening a ferry vessel became stuck after striking a submerged object near Pier 11. We are glad all passengers were safely disembarked and regret the inconvenience. NYC Ferry will operate on a normal schedule Tuesday."

Out of the 16 NYC Ferry vessels, there are currently six ferries out of service according to the mayor's office and the Coast Guard.