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The cause of the accident, which occurred around 8:45 a.m. at Pier 11, at South Street and Gouverneur Lane, was not immediately clear, according to a spokesman for the New York Fire Department.

A massive gash in the ferry could be seen, and passengers, speaking on local television stations, described a huge jolt as the ferry pulled into the dock.

The ferry, operated by Sea Streak Ferry, provides daily service from Atlantic Highlands and Conners Highlands in New Jersey to Lower Manhattan, and can accommodate several hundred passengers.

The president of the ferry company, James R. Barker, told NBC News that there were 300 people on the ferry and that many of those who were injured were thrown from their seats.

Chris Avore, speaking to ABC News, said the impact was similar to what one might feel in a car crash.

"Almost no one knew what was going on," he said.