Reckless maneuvering and “dangerous speed” of an FDNY fireboat during a scenic cruise to the Statue of Liberty led to the death of a visiting Belgian firefighter, according to Coast Guard findings obtained by the newspaper.
The fatal accident with a civilian fishing boat occurred on the night of June 17, 2022, as the sole firefighter piloting Marine 1 Bravo sped along the East River at a top speed of 28 miles per hour, leaving the chartered vessel “Honcho.” “ The 28-page Coast Guard report said it had a maximum speed of 6 mph and had just 2 seconds to react.
The FDNY fireboat’s fun ride for medical emergencies also lacked a required “lookout” to spot danger. The FDNY pilot was unsuccessful in using radar to detect other vessels, the report said.
No one on the fireboat saw the crash coming.
Additionally, the investigation found that the New York City Fire Department did not have a formal process for approving informal “sightseeing tours” requested by firefighters for friends and family, according to the City Bureau of Investigation. This was corrected following a re-examination, and it turned out to be a fatal flaw.
Visiting firefighter Johnny Bianaert, 54, died from “blunt force trauma” to his head and neck when the fishing boat’s bow collided with the fireboat’s cabin, the report said. .
Honmachi’s pilot spotted the FDNY boat approaching “at great speed from a distance of approximately 30 yards,” but “assumed it would correct course.”
The four survivors of the fireboat told investigators that the crash happened “without any signs that it was going to hit anything.”
Bernert could not be revived.
“He passed away in his wife’s arms,” said Paul Hoffman, attorney for Bernhardt’s widow, Heidi Vermandel, who accompanied him on the cruise.
“It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime for them. It was the biggest disaster,” he added.
“It has caused a lot of confusion and distress to a lovely family.”
Bernhardt, a sergeant in the Belgian Army and father of 20-year-old twins, had planned to retire within a year, but continued working as a firefighter, paramedic and rescue diver.
Vermandel is suing both the city and New York Boat Tours in Brooklyn federal court.
The Coast Guard has not yet made its report public, but it has provided it to Bermandel, the FDNY and NYC Boat Tours, and in court documents Tuesday said the bombshell discovery could prompt a lawsuit to settle. It was indicated that there is a possibility of moving to private mediation.
The tragedy began when former FDNY Captain Stephen Lonergan showed up at Manhattan’s Marine 1 Pier at 9 p.m. and asked to take a cruise aboard a fireboat with visiting firefighter Johnny Biernert and his wives. I woke up later.
The report states that the commander of Marine Corps 1 on duty, who is not identified in the report, approved the “improvised expedition” apparently without consulting higher-ups.
Police assigned firefighter Thomas Waller (also unnamed in the report) to take sole control.
According to FDNY maritime regulations, fire boats must have three operators on board. One officer (lieutenant or captain) and he two firefighters (including his one in lookout role).
Waller told investigators he “assumed” Lonergan and Biernert would act as lookouts, but that was a big mistake, the report said.
Bernert was unresponsive after being hit in the head. Lonergan tried CPR to revive him, but to no avail.
He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. Others were treated for minor injuries.
A fireboat circled around the Statue of Liberty and guests took photos before heading to the Brooklyn Bridge for more photos.
The report said bright lights along the waterfront in nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park and “dense traffic jams” on the waterway likely hindered Waller’s visibility of the main town.
However, the paper said the accident could have been avoided if Mr Waller had driven at a “slower speed”.
The pilots of both ships tested negative for alcohol and dangerous drugs.
The Coast Guard concluded by condemning the FDNY’s routine practice of allowing senior officials and dignitaries to use fire vessels for excursion cruises.
“Sightseeing tours, such as the one that took place on the night of the casualty, typically occurred without interference or oversight when requested by FDNY officials for recreational purposes,” the report said. Says.
