New York City Police Department News

New Jersey-based marine services company Donjon Marine Co. Inc., has secured a contract to perform maintenance dredging in Flushing Bay and Creek, in Queens, N.Y.Donjon Marine was one of two online bidders for the $23,970,800 contract, which was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) New York District. Work is scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2022. The Flushing Creek, also known as Flushing River, is a waterway that flows northward through the borough of Queens in New York City…

A ferry ran aground with 118 passengers and seven crew-members aboard in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Saturday evening.Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York command center received a report that the 150-foot Seastreak ferry Commodore ran aground and was taking on water in Bushwick Inlet near the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, at approximately 4:17 p.m.The ferry, which runs routes between New York and New Jersey, lost power and steering and began drifting before striking ground, operator Seastreak said. The vessel was traveling from Highlands, N.J., to East 35th Street in Manhattan.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced that two new Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) will be named in honor of Coast Guard reservists who served in the New York City Police Department and New York City Fire Department and lost their lives responding on 9/11.Adm. Karl Schultz, Coast Guard Commandant, is scheduled to announce that the new Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) will be named in honor of Port Security Specialist 2nd Class Vincent Danz and Machinery Technician 1st Class Jeffrey Palazzo.Danz served as a Coast Guard Reservist, as well as an NYPD officer at the Emergency Services Unit in the Bronx. He responded on 9/11 to aid…

Coast Guard and partner agency crews responded to a ferry aground with 27 people aboard near Rockaway Inlet, New York, Wednesday evening. The Flyer, an 80-foot New York City Ferry became stuck on a sandbar after departing from the Rockaway terminal at 5:15 p.m., en route to Wall Street’s Pier 11 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Boatcrews from Coast Guard Station New York, and Station Sandy Hook arrived on scene with New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and New York City Police Department (NYPD) marine units. Due to shallow water, Coast Guard crews were unable to safely approach the ferry. An FDNY crew evacuated 23 passengers and a crewmember safely and placed them aboard one of their rescue boats. All passengers were transferred to the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn, New York.

Export hulls – through the FMS Program, as well as Direct Sales – are a key piece of the business model. Even as the crash in energy prices feeds the oversupply of offshore support vessels – a key staple of U.S. boatbuilding diets – and the dwindling backlogs of some so-called ‘second tier’ yards,  a number of U.S. boat builders are still seeing robust demand for security vessels. Separately, tightening federal, state, municipal and overseas budgets are being trumped by the increased need for security craft that can perform more than one function.

Gladding-Hearn shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation has delivered a second 70-foot tactical response vessel to New York City’s Harbor Patrol Unit. The two sister-ships were part of a five-boat order from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Measuring 68.8 feet on deck, with a 19-foot beam and 3.8-foot draft, the new high-speed, Tactical Response Vessel features C. Raymond Hunt’s deep-V hull and a “squared-off” bow, with fendering and knees installed above the main deck to facilitate bow landings.

Having delivered its third 61 ft. patrol/rescue boat for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) last year, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, announced it has delivered the first of two 70 ft. Tactical Response vessels for the department’s Harbor Patrol Unit. Measuring 68.8 feet on deck, with a 19-foot beam and 3.8-foot draft, the new high-speed, Tactical Response Vessel features C. Raymond Hunt’s deep-V hull and a “squared-off” bow, with fendering and knees installed above the main deck to facilitate bow landings.

Aluminum boat manufacturer Moose Boats announced the delivery of two patrol boats. The builder delivered a M2-38’ Patrol Catamaran to the United States Park Police in Fort Tilden, New York, as well as a M2-38’ Wide Cabin Patrol Catamaran to the New Jersey State Police in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The U.S. Park Police’ all aluminum catamaran is powered by twin 425hp Cummins turbo diesel engines with TwinDisc transmissions coupled to Hamilton HJ292 water-jets. Maneuvering is achieved by dual complete Hamilton BlueArrow control stations at both the central cabin helm station and cockpit.

U.S. companies continue to land lucrative contracts with domestic and foreign customers for vessels that are designed or specially customized to meet defense, police and anti-piracy needs. Governments here and abroad, meanwhile, continue to cut budgets. Many of the security craft to be delivered this year are built to save energy, reduce emissions and reach higher speeds and greater cruising ranges than their predecessors. They have the latest tracking and communications systems. And a few new vessels are remotely operated.

Boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, Moose Boats, said it has delivered a M2-35 Catamaran Patrol Boat to New York City Police Department’s Harbor Unit. The 35 foot all-aluminum catamaran vessel is a sister ship to NYPD’s three existing Moose Boats M2- 35 catamarans, the first of which has been in service since December 2009. The vessel will be responsible for patrol, search and rescue, recovery and dive operations in New York Harbor and the East and Hudson Rivers. Propulsion is achieved by twin Yamaha 350hp four-stroke outboards, and a Northern Lights generator powers integrated heated decks and windows as well as reverse cycle air conditioning.

Moose Boats, a boat designer and manufacturer in the San Francisco Bay Area, recently finalized contract specifications with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for the construction of two M2-35 Outboard Catamarans for Patrol and Emergency Rescue Response in the waters surrounding JFK and LaGuardia International Airports. The M2-35 aluminum catamarans will be powered by twin Yamaha 350hp outboards, are equipped with a self-contained Darley fire pump and are each capable of carrying and deploying 20 twelve-person life rafts.

America's Navy League to honor prominent industry, navy, city and financial leaders at their 111th New York City annual dinner. The following individuals are to be honored by the Navy League  formed 111 years ago in New York City with the encouragement of President Theodore Roosevelt). Daniel F. Admiral William E. Gortney , U.S. Navy, Commander, U.S. Honorable Raymond W. Joan E. "We are extremely pleased to recognize these individuals," stated Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney , NYNM (Ret.) president of the New York Council. "They represent the finest qualities of leadership, and have significantly contributed to the nation and the nation's sea services," he added. The black-tie dinner is on Thursday, April 18th, 2013, at the Waldorf Astoria New York.

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.

Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service New York received an apparent distress call Monday, reportedly from the yacht Blind Date, stating the vessel suffered an explosion, seven people were injured and all 21 people aboard the yacht had abandoned ship into liferafts. A later call to the Coast Guard reported that three people aboard the boat had died, and that several people had 2nd and 3rd-degree burns, and that people aboard were abandoning ship into liferafts. Coast Guard search east of Sandy Hook included two Coast Guard boat crews and four Coast Guard helicopter crews, who searched approximately 638 square nautical miles. Response units from New York City Police Department…

A team of Coast Guard investigators and inspectors was on scene at the Staten Island Ferry terminal after a ferry struck the pier around 9:30 a.m. on May 8. The ferry boat Andrew J. Barberi reportedly lost propulsion and struck the pier, resulting in serious damage to the facility's ramps and the main decks of the boat above the waterline. There were 252 passengers and 18 crew members onboard at the time of incident. There have been reports of minor injuries. There have been no reports of pollution. A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station New York was also on scene after the incident. The New York Port Authority prepared to move the ferry to a different slip while the investigation is being conducted.

Riverkeeper, a New York clean water advocate, commended the New York City Council for passing Int. 54-A, a bill substantially increasing penalties for illegal dumping in New York City Waters. The bill, passed unanimously by the City Council, creates a new civil penalty for dumping into the waterways where none currently exists, setting fines at not less than $1,500 or more than $10,000 for the first violation, and not less than $5,000 or more than $20,000 for each subsequent violation. “The waters of New York City are a public resource that all New Yorkers have the right to enjoy,” said Riverkeeper Attorney & Chief Investigator Josh Verleun.

The Coast Guard is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a tanker ship in Gravesend Bay that ruptured a tank around 9 a.m, Jan. 10. The tank was overfilled in the process of on-loading ethanol, which resulted in the rupture, according to Coast Guard marine inspectors. “Our paramount concern is for the safety of the crew still onboard the vessel and they will not commence any nighttime operations,” said Cmdr. David Flaherty, Coast Guard Sector New York’s incident commander. “The vessel is currently listing at about six degrees, and the vessel’s crew will not attempt to correct the issue until there is enough light tomorrow.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York issued a release discussing the criminal charges arising out of the October 15, 2003 crash of the Staten Island ferry Andrew J. Barberi into the ferry terminal at St. George, an accident which killed 11 and injured dozens. The ferry pilot pled guilty to manslaughter. The director of ferry operations has been charged with manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making a false statement. A port captain has been charged with obstruction of justice and making a false statement. The ferry captain and a doctor have been charged with making false statements. Below are excerpts from the release. ROSLYNN R.

Local and state dignitaries convened on the Monmouth County waterfront to take part in the christening of the Gladding-Hearn built M/V Seastreak New Jersey, a 141-ft. (42.9-m), 400 passenger high speed catamaran which will provide daily commuter service from Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands, N.J., to Pier 11 (Wall Street) and East 34th Street in Manhattan. According to Geoffrey Ede of SeaStreak America, Inc., Seastreak New Jersey and its sister ship Seastreak New York are the fastest diesel powered ferries in the New York Harbor today with service speeds of approximately 45 mph. Our outstanding commuter service into New York will…

Some of the industry's biggest players and supporters were present to honor Admiral James Loy and Grace Allen at the 26th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner on June 17 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. Also recognized, was John J. McMullen, renowned naval architect and marine engineer, and former CEO of United States Lines, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award. The event, which is one of the industry's top social and philanthropic events of the season, drew a record 954 guests, and raised more than $550,000 for the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey. "We are grateful for the support of the maritime industry and our friends," said the Rev. Dr. Jean R. Smith, SCI's Executive Director.

Some of the industry's biggest players and supporters were present to honor Admiral James Loy and Grace Allen at the 26th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner on June 17 at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan. Also recognized, was John J. McMullen, renowned naval architect and marine engineer, and former CEO of United States Lines, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award. The event, which is one of the industry's top social and philanthropic events of the season, drew a record 954 guests, and raised more than $550,000 for the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey. "We are grateful for the support of the maritime industry and our friends," said the Rev. Dr. Jean R. Smith, SCI's Executive Director. Richard T.

With a long history of building many different vessels operating in New York Harbor, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, was selected by the New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) to build a new utility boat for delivery in January. According to shipyard officials, the NYDOT will use the boat for emergency transportation and general duties around the harbor from its repair facility on Staten Island. Based on the successful design and all-aluminum construction of four patrol boats Gladding-Hearn built for the New York City Police Department, the 36-ft. utility boat for the NYDOT has a deep-V hull, designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates. Its beam is 13 ft. and a draft of 4 ft.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs conducted a hearing entitled Homeland Security: The Next Five Years. As explained in her opening statement, Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) wants to assess the homeland security challenges the next five years will bring. Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security, discussed those challenges, including port and maritime security. He noted that not every risk can be eliminated, so the goal is to prioritize the threats and address those of highest importance. Among the various witnesses, Richard A. Falkenrath, Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism, New York City Police Department, stated that the threat of a weapon of mass destruction in a shipping container has been exaggerated.