Tag: Corps of Engingeers
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A grim discovery
Wednesday got off to a sad start on the North River with the discovery of a decomposed body pinned by the ebb tide against A Dock at the Boat Basin Marina, something which is not as unusual as it should be. Police cleared the scene quickly, and life went back to normal, with typical traffic…
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Cement dynamics
Cement usually moves south on the North River, coming down by specially designed barge from the Lafarge plant in Ravenna, New York for delivery to terminals in Bayonne, Queens and out in New England. Occasionally, though, imported cement comes north on foreign flagged bulk ships heading for Catskill, NY. The old Lehigh Cement plant there…
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The Fleet is In
Fleet Week kicked off Wednesday with the traditional parade of ships. The surprise this year was the participation of the destroyer USS Cole, famous for surviving a deadly al-Qaeda attack in Yemen back in October 2000. For more on Fleet Week, see my write up in the West side Rag. Meanwhile, the marine highway remained…
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Spring weekend
Mothers’ Day weekend passed with fairly typical traffic observations. If Poling-Cutler tugs dominated traffic during previous weekdays, the weekend was heavy with Reinauer Transportation moves. Beautiful conditions prevailed through Sunday.
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Need help?
The wing surfer was back on the North River off Riverside Park South for a second day, despite continued high winds. But this time he must have appeared to be having difficulty, because someone called for help on his behalf. The Harbor Patrol boat came up from the cruise terminal and so did Marine 1’s…
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Mid-March Nor’easter
Storms have rolled through the New York area as we reach the middle of March, with a wintery mix on Friday followed by a nor’easter arriving Monday evening. By Tuesday afternoon, winds had shifted around to the northwest and were gusting above 40 knots, with gale warnings going into effect. Heavy snow accumulated on the…
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Less common traffic
Conditions have deteriorated as the week has progressed following the Washington’s Birthday holiday, with Wednesday bringing rain and hail, though still no measurable snow. Traffic on the River has included some vessels seen less often, though activity has been generally light.
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Anchoring heavy
The balmy February has continued into the Ides of the month, with temperatures climbing into the 60s midweek. The River has been busy, with two-way traffic and active anchorages. The year so far has been unusual in terms of weather, but also because of an increased number of tugs anchoring with what appear to be…
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Sleepy Sunday
Weirdly warm temperatures persisted Sunday, and the city looks on track to set a new record of winter days without snow tomorrow. Winds started light but were gusting above 20 knots at Robbins Reef by the end of the day. Commercial traffic seemed very light, and even recreational activity was scarce despite the warm conditions.…
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Weekend anchor
Thursday’s rains abated and temperatures climbed into the 40s by Saturday, warm enough for kayakers and for HRCS’s winter sailing crew. A number of tugs with empty tanker barges accumulated in the River by Friday evening. Reinauer’s Kristy Ann also remained with her apparently loaded barge from Thursday into Saturday morning, and then departed to…
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Shipping boats
The extraordinarily warm January continued Friday, with temperatures in the 50s and rain falling periodically. Traffic was typical with the exception of a Dutch registered cargo ship heading for Albany from Genoa with a deck cargo comprised of luxury yachts. These will presumably be transferred to trucks in Albany, brought to dealers and many will…
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Typical traffic
Temperatures warmed Thursday but intermittent rain put a damper on things. Traffic was largely typical, dominated by Reinauer ATBs. Cement barge traffic remains heavier than usual, perhaps reflecting the warm weather supporting construction activity through the winter.
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Familiar faces
Clear and cold remained the watch words on Wednesday, with temperatures holding in the 30s. River traffic was steady but largely familiar vessels, many already seen at least once this year.
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On official business
Tuesday brought clear skies, light winds, and chilly ttemperatures, with the mercury barely breaking 40. Traffic on and above the River was dominated by government boats and aircraft, though not for any particular obvious or coordinated reason. The Coast Guard had some Cape Cod based aircraft in the area, and also had its big icebreaking…
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Tanker traffic
The first full work week of the new year opened with clearing skies and temperatures climbing into the 40s. Tanker traffic appeared to be picking up after the weekend lull, and some of the Coast Guard’s icebreaking assets were on the move.
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Hazards to navigation
Damp and fog continues to linger over New York City as temperatures remain unseasonably warm. Storms up north appear to have produced a lot of debris in the River, the larger pieces of which the Army Corps of Engineers has been busy cleaning up. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard’s ice breakers are less busy, though the…
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Welcome to ice season
Coast Guard Sector-New York’s official ice season began Monday, requiring vessels to check in with the Coast Guard VTS before heading north of the Bridge. It is still too early, of course, to see actual ice on the River, but there was some snow north and west of the city Monday morning after Sunday’s drenching…
North River Notes 