New York City has paid out nearly $2 million to settle lawsuits filed by passengers injured when a Staten Island ferry crashed into a pier while docking in July 2009.

City officials say the payments grew out of eight lawsuits brought by passengers aboard the “Sen. John J. Marchi” when the ferry – capable of carrying 4,400 passengers – lost power and collided with a St. George dock.

The latest payment, $500,000, was given this week to a crewman working aboard the city-operated ferry who was hurt in the slow-speed collision.

Five more lawsuits stemming from the ferry incident are still pending in several courts, a spokeswoman for the city’s law department said.