A14 Beliefs A14 NEW YORK\/REGION B1-6 Top New York City OfficialPleads Guilty in Ferry Crash The former director of the city 's ferry operations , Patrick Ryan , pleaded guilty to negligent manslaughter in the Staten Island ferry crash that killed 11 passengers in 2003 , admitting that he failed to ensure the safe operation of the system and then lied to federal investigators after the disaster .