One man is believed to have fallen down some steps from the upper level, smashing a window. Police and firefighters were on the scene and dozens of people were taken away in stretchers to nearby hospitals with more being treated at the scene
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Seven of the injuries were considered serious, one critical and 25 victims are listed in stable condition. Officials say 21 suffered minor injuries. A lot of others were being treated for shock.
There were more than 300 people on board. The pier had been turned into a make-shift triage as EMS workers tried to ascertain the extent of the injuries.
The Seastreak Ferry is a popular choice of transport for workers commuting from New Jersey to New York.
The vessel left from Atlantic Highlands in New Jersey at 8am and was making its first stop at Wall Street, Manhattan around 8.45am. It was due to continue on to East 35th Street.
Seastreak President Jim Barker explained what happened: 'The ferry struck a loading barge that it was passing when it was
'It caused damage to the vessel and threw people forward into the seats and the walls, causing a number of injuries. This is something that has never happened before.'
Pictures from the scene show a large gash in the starboard side of the boat bow. A hit on the front of a boat would cause the biggest impact for the passengers on board.
Two brothers on board said there was absolutely no warning this was about to happen and the vessel was traveling at full speed when it crashed 'hard and fast' into the dock.
Marine traffic.com said the vessel would have been traveling at approximately 11.3 knots - around 25 mph.
Coastguards were on the scene conducting routine alcohol and drug checks on the captain and crew of the boat.
They will also look at the speed the ship was going and any mechanical problems that may have taken place.
Passenger Chris Avore told ABC what happened: 'Nothing seemed like it was going to be out of the ordinary.
'There was once or twice where I was talking with a colleague where we actually thought it was coming in a little hot near Brooklyn, where we're not used to seeing it.
'Then the next thing we knew, you feel the jolt and then everybody goes flying.
Once you basically pass the Statue of Liberty, you pretty much know that you're going to be there soon, so a lot of people start standing up, milling around, getting their coats and everything like that.
'Anybody who was standing went to the ground.'
The high speed ferry is 140-feet long, 30-feet wide and can hold up to 505 passengers and crew. It has been in operation since September 2003.
According to the website, the Seastreak provides 'daily, year-round ferry services from Atlantic Highlands and Conners Highlands, NJ to Pier 11 Wall Street, East 35th Street, and shuttle service to the World Financial Center.'
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