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George Washington Bridge News

26 Aug 2022

Seafarers Supported Amid Felixstowe Port Strike

Julian Wong (Photo: Stella Maris)

A Stella Maris chaplain is supporting crew onboard ships berthed at Felixstowe port amid the ongoing dockworkers strike.Julian Wong had gone on board the container vessel George Washington Bridge which arrived in Felixstowe on August 19 before the start of the strike, to meet the crew and left them his contact details in case they needed to get in touch.The ship was scheduled to leave the port on August 20, but its departure was delayed, so the crew had to stay on board. On August 24…

30 Aug 2021

Circle Line Relaunches Bear Mountain Cruises

(Photo: Circle Line)

New York Cruise Lines' Circle Line is relaunching its annual Bear Mountain Cruises on the Hudson River.The eight-hour round-trip excursions take passengers from New York City to Bear Mountain and back, launching Saturdays and Sundays from September 18 through October 31, plus Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 11.The 50-mile cruise up the Hudson includes sights of Hook Mountain, the Hudson River Palisades, the George Washington Bridge, and the Mario Cuomo Bridge…

24 May 2017

Ships Parade Kicks off NY Fleet Week

Photo: Jeff O’Malley

From the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center to New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York’s time-honored traditions are some of the most well-known around the world. Arriving today as part of another New York tradition, a “parade of ships” from several branches of the U.S. military (and one ship from Canada) sailed into the New York Harbor and up the Hudson River from Battery Park to just south of the George Washington Bridge, for the 29th annual Fleet Week New York (FWNY). Now in its 29th year…

25 May 2016

Fleet Week Underway in New York

Photo: Jeff O'Malley

Now in its 28th year, New York Fleet Week has commenced, with ships from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Canadian Navy sailing into New York Harbor. The weeklong Fleet Week celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984, providing an opportunity for New Yorkers to witness firsthand the capabilities of today’s maritime services, as well as meet sailors, marines and coastguardsmen.

20 May 2015

Fleet Week Kicks off in New York

A USNA Yard Patrol Craft passes the Statue of Liberty as part of the parade of ships, kicking off Fleet Week New York 2015. (Photo courtesy nyonair.com)

Three U.S. Navy ships, two U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutters, and four U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Yard Patrol boats have arrived in the New York Harbor to participate in the 2015 Fleet Week New York Parade of Ships. Participating ships include the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided-missile destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Stout (DDG 55), 703-class USNA Yard Patrol boats, and U.S. Coast Guard cutters Sturgeon Bay (WTGB 109) and Spencer (WMEC 905). Named in honor of the 343 firefighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center on Sept.

14 Jan 2015

Port Should Unload Brooklyn Marine Terminals

A new report from the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) suggests that the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey sell its two marine terminals in Brooklyn, both of which are hemorrhaging money, to a housing developer in order to raise cash. The Red Hook Container Terminal and the Brooklyn-Port Authority Marine Terminal have a long history of running deficits and no prospect of making money in the near future. Greater efficiencies must, therefore, be explored, according to CBC president Carol Kellerman. Annual deficits at the marine terminals are expected to hit $107 million in 15 years, the report said. The Brooklyn-Port Authority Marine Terminal in Cobble Hill lost more than $205,000 per acre last year. The Red Hook Container Terminal lost nearly $185,000 per acre.

30 Dec 2014

Christie, Cuomo Veto Proposed Port Agency Overhaul

The governors of New York and New Jersey vetoed sweeping legislation passed by lawmakers in both states intended to reform the embattled bi-state Port Authority, according to a joint statement released on Saturday. The legislative reforms to the transportation agency were passed as federal prosecutors investigate "Bridgegate," in which traffic lanes approaching the George Washington Bridge across the Hudson River were shut for several days in September 2013 in what many suspect was a politically motivated move by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration. Christie, chairman of the Republican Governor's Association and a potential presidential candidate…

08 Aug 2014

Port Authority Lists Subpoenas over Bridge Closure

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has disclosed a list of federal and state subpoenas it has received linked to investigations into a scandal over deliberate lane closures at a major transportation route. The list, the most extensive disclosure of the matter so far by the usually reticent authority, was part of a bond offering document for a $834 million bond sale later this month. It includes flagship projects such as the $1.5 billion Goethals Bridge replacement and the World Trade Center. "The Port Authority has received and is responding to several grand jury subpoenas for the production of records," the authority said in the Aug. 6 document. The list of subpoenas covers a page of the document.

29 Apr 2014

Gov. Christie Selects Port Authority Chair

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said on Tuesday he has tapped former state Attorney General John Degnan to chair the board of the embattled Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The board's former chairman, David Samson, resigned in March amid reports that federal prosecutors in Manhattan were looking into a potential conflict of interest between Samson's role as chairman and his private law firm. The bi-state authority has come under intense scrutiny since the so-called Bridgegate scandal erupted early this year…

11 Mar 2014

U.S. seeks records on NY-NJ Port Authority chairman

(Reuters) - Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have subpoenaed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for records regarding the business dealings of the agency's chairman, David Samson, according to media reports on Monday. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is interested in particular in any potential conflicts of interest between Samson's role as chairman and his private law firm, Wolff & Samson, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous sources. Pressure has been building on Samson, an appointee of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, since his name surfaced in documents related to September lane closures at the George Washington Bridge, which caused gridlock over four days as an alleged act of political retribution against a New Jersey mayor.

02 Nov 2012

Update 3: Status of NY, NJ Port, Waterways

The Port of New York is open to all tug and barge traffic carrying petroleum products. New York waterway ferries and taxi service are fully operational on the Hudson and East Rivers. Gravesend Bay anchorage south of the Verrazano Bridge as well as the anchorage north of the bridge is now open. The Hudson River is open to all vessel traffic north of George Washington Bridge. Tugs and barges are permitted to precede along the Arthur Kill waterway from the south with permission by VTS the Caption of the Port. All inspected passenger vessels are authorized to operate except within the noted exclusive zones. Anchorage Ground 21-C in Bay Ridge Flats is open to approved vessel traffic. Port Jersey Channel is open.

21 Jun 2012

Coast Guard Persues Hoax Distress Caller

The Coast Guard continues to investigate a probable hoax distress call that was received June 11, 2012, alleging a yacht explosion off Sandy Hook, N.J. Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service New York received the distress call at approximately 4:20 p.m., reportedly from the master of the yacht Blind Date, stating the vessel suffered an explosion with 21 people aboard. A massive, multi-agency search took place 17 nautical miles east of Sandy Hook, and involved two Coast Guard boat crews, four Coast Guard aircraft crews, response units from New York City Police Department, Fire Department of New York City, New Jersey State Police, and Nassau County Police Department. Good Samaritan boats also participated in the 5 1/2-hour, 638-square nautical mile search.

20 May 2008

Security Zone for Fleet Week in NY

The potential exists for unanticipated delays affecting ship movements and/or the control of vessels with little or no warning within the Port of New York and New Jersey from Tuesday, May 20, through Wednesday, May 28, 2008. "The Coast Guard encourages every boater to enjoy the Parade of Ships during Fleet Week, but we want them to be safe and respect the established safety zones," said Lt. j.g. Nasif Gordon, a Coast Guard Sector New York waterways management officer. Vessels shall not cross the parade route while naval vessels are in parade formation. All vessel traffic in the Hudson River shall transit to the west of the parade column…

09 Sep 2003

Careful, Your Species May Be Non-Indigenous

By Dennis L. Dangers posed by movement of species from one part of the world to another where they are uncommon (non-indigenous) have been recognized since the black death (bubonic plague) arrived in western Europe from central Asia in the 1300's, killing up to one-third of Europe's population. Modern medicine has been able to address most disease outbreaks, as evidenced by our recent experience with SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). The environment has coped less successfully. Since man began traveling long distances in relatively short time, plants and animals have also made the voyage. Some have been brought intentionally, as when European domestic animals and crops were transported to America and Australia for farming. Others, such as rats, were brought unintentionally.

07 Jul 2004

Government Update: Ballast Water Management Acquiring Teeth

Effective August 13, 2004, the U.S. Coast Guard will have the authority to impose civil penalties of up to $27,500 per day against vessels that fail to submit ballast water management reports. The basic ballast water management program has been in existence for some years, but submittal of reports has been largely voluntary since the agency lacked the power to require submittal. As a result, participation in the program has been abysmal - at less than 30 percent. It is expected that participation will rapidly become universal as the penalty regime takes hold. The goal of ballast water management is to reduce the risk of transport in a ship's ballast tanks of aquatic species from one location to another where the species is not indigenous and may have no natural enemies.

11 Jan 2001

$9B Investment Plan Unveiled

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled a sweeping $9 billion construction plan for improvements at its airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH commuter rail system, Reuters reported. The five-year proposal, formally released Wednesday, is part of an overall 10-year $14 billion proposal. The improvements could be on the way if Port Authority succeeds in getting fares raised to $7.00 at its bridges and to $2.00 on the PATH. The toll increases would generate $208 million a year. Public hearings will be held on the increases, which would then be reviewed by the governors of New Jersey and New York, who could then veto the plan or approve it. Under the improvement plan, the largest chunk of cash would be spent on the delay-plagued airports, which would receive $4.5 billion.

12 Nov 1999

NOAA Ship Surveying Hudson River

NOAA ship Rude - the hydrographic survey ship that located the wreckage of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s aircraft on the sea floor - was in New York through Oct. 17 to survey the Hudson River, south of the George Washington Bridge to 55th Street. Rude (pronounced Rude-dee), which uses sonar technology to locate sea floor obstructions and other navigational hazards for nautical charts, conducted the survey at the request of the New York Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee and the U.S. Navy for the safety of ships transiting the river, and to ensure the safety of vessels participating in the OpSail 2000 event next year. These high-resolution surveys will be used to update the nautical charts of the area, which are currently based on surveys from 1939.

16 May 2003

Van Tol Honored for 30 Years of Service

Arie Van Tol, a veteran Port Authority employee who currently manages the New York Marine Terminals, has been honored for more than 30 years of distinguished service to the bistate agency and the maritime community, Port Commerce Director Richard M. Larrabee announced today. Larrabee presented Van Tol, a Montville, N.J., resident, with the Lillian C. Borrone Award, given to individuals who render unusually effective service to the port community. The award is named for Lillian C. Borrone, a longtime director of the Port Authority’s Port Commerce Department who retired in 2001. “Arie is the consummate maritime industry professional who cares deeply about the Port Authority’s maritime terminal facilities and its tenants,” Mr. Larrabee said.

09 Jun 2003

Feature: New York Ferry Market Roars to Life

New York was hardly unique for developing ferry services, but this city of islands was one of the most prolific. At their height, more than 60 routes linked Manhattan, New Jersey, and the four other boroughs. Before there were skyscrapers, before there were subways, the city was famous for its ferrryboats, woven together by them - who could imagine getting around without them? City planners could. After the Civil War, New York entered a bridge-building boom that lasted a century. From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Verrazano, New York erected wonders famous to every tourist. Dozens more, less fabled, are known better to mariners. Open 24/7…

31 Aug 2005

Great Lakes: Ballast Water Management

The U.S. Coast Guard issued best management practices for vessels entering the Great Lakes or the Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge and declaring no ballast onboard (NOBOB). These practices are intended to minimize the likelihood of inadvertent introduction of aquatic nonindigenous species. The practices include, among other things, conducting either mid-ocean ballast water exchange or mid-ocean saltwater flushing. The draft environmental assessment should be widely available shortly. Comments should be submitted by September 30. 70 Fed. Reg. 51831 (HK Law)