1. IMHOF

 

Our International Maritime Hall of Fame Gala was held on May 11 this year. Once again, we had a terrific slate of International Honorees, and tables, ads, and sponsorships were well supported. This annual gala event is our sole fundraising event of the year. This event has truly become a noted annual gala gathering of so many of the senior leadership of our Industry. If you attended, we hope that you enjoyed the evening. If you missed it…we hope we’ll see you next year. Invitations are always sent to all MAPONY/NJ members. The 2017 International Maritime Hall of Fame is presently scheduled for 10 May, 2017, and we are ready to start our search for eminently qualified candidates for next year’s inductees!

 

1. AMERICAS CUP RACE

 

On May 7 and 8, the America’s Cup international sailing race was held in New York Harbor for the first time in nearly a century.

Our Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Cttee (HOPs) worked closely with both the USCG and the event sponsor to minimize any adverse impact on commercial navigation during the Race.

 

As usual, the Sector New York USCG folks did a great job, and managed to ensure that the race went as scheduled, with no reported adverse effects to commercial navigation

 

1. MARITIME-RELATED EDUCATION

 

MAPONY/NJ continues to support and encourage maritime-related education

• In coordination with the Working Harbor Cttee, we provided an on-water Harbor Tour for students of UASGC on May 19. In addition to the Working Harbor folks, we were also joined by representatives of AECOM (our own President, Kevin Corbett!), New York City Economic Development Corp, and Bethann Rooney of the PANY/NJ. The students enjoyed the day on the water, and hopefully learned how important waterborne transportation is for our Local, Regional, and National economy.
• The MAPONY/NJ Graduation Award for SUNY Maritime was presented on May 13, and the USMMA Award will be presented on June 17.

 

1. HEARINGS

 

On May 3, MAPONY/NJ attended a NYC City Council Committee on Waterfront hearing regarding the role of the Waterfront Management Advisory Board (WMAB). MAPONY/NJ is a member of the MAB. The Waterfront Committee is chaired by Councilwoman Debi Rose of Staten Island, with whom we have a good working relationship. The public hearing was well attended, and MAPONY/NJ testified in favor of the renewed activity of the WMAB, as well as expanding the size of the WMAB by three (3) additional members. It is expected that this initiative to amend section 1303 of chapter 56 of the City Charted will be adopted in an upcoming City Council meeting. The legislative text is Int. No. 507.

On May 2, MAPONY/NJ  attended a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)  hearing which discussed  proposed revisions pertaining to Solid Waste Regulations which are contained in Part 360 of the NYS Code. MAPONY/NJ is particularly interested in revising the regulations governing Navigational Dredged Material through NYSDEC’s Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) process. We hope that required revisions to the Code will lead towards the reduction of the burdensome costs related to the disposal of NDM, and therefore reduce the cost of dredging operations by effecting more reasonable solid waste beneficial use regulations in NYS. We will continue to follow this process. The public Comment Period will be open until July 15, 2016.

 

1. SHIP STATS-APRIL 2016

 

Our report of ship stats for April 2016 is appended hereto. Year-on-year comparisons show an increase of 5 for the month of April, and the year-on-year Jan-Apr results are up by 16. Hopefully our good trend continues!

 

1. MARACOOS ANNUAL MEETING

 

MAPONY/NJ attended the annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (MARACOOS) which was held in Annapolis, Maryland on May 12/13, 2016. EJK is a Director of this group, and as such, all travel expenses are paid by MARACOOS. The group is established under NOAA, and deals with coastal observations, and systems. The group deals with weather stations, current, wind, high-frequency radar, salinity, etc. Data is integrated into the USCG search-and-rescue models, and many navigational models and observing platforms. Our role is to ensure optimal results for commercial navigation within our region.

 

1. VIDA

 

We continue to work with our Vessel Discharge Coalition partners to have the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) enacted into law this year.  The VIDA would establish consistent national standards to be applied on a national basis, which would supersede the myriad state and/or local regulations currently causing confusion. VIDA legislation is currently attempting to be attached to MARAD amendments under the National Defense Authorization Act. Further progress is expected after Memorial Day.

 

1. MOORINGS

 

MAPONY/NJ submitted comments to the USACE in favor of the installation of additional harbor moorings to be used by NY State Marine Highway Transportation Co. The new moorings would be required to accommodate their new aggregate transport business. It is noted that moorings can be preferable to anchoring due to increased stability, and lesser impact on the bottom due to anchor strikes and dragging.

 

1. PORTS FUNDING

 

We are most pleased to have been advised that the PANY/NJ has entered into a contract with NOAA to fund the Physical Observing Real Time System (PORTS) for an additional four (4) years. PORTS is essential to safe navigation, and will be of increased importance as larger vessels begin to call in our Port.  

 

1. NJ TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AUTHORITY

 

MAPONY/NJ has been approached by the NJTPA to assist with their study to evaluate NJ regional waterborne transportation requirements and opportunities. We will meet with them to determine the scope of their study, and help them to identify and contact knowledgeable industry partners.

 

1. POSIDONIA 2016 WHITE PAPER

 

MAPONY/NJ created a brief white paper which is intended to highlight commercial maritime activity in NY/NJ, which will be included in the New York Maritime Inc. (NYMAR) presentation to be made at the POSIDONIA 2016 Exhibition to be held in Athens, Greece on 6-10 June, 2016. NYMAR is primarily composed of legal and financial service providers, and they are making a presentation to promote doing business in the NY/NJ Port area. For your ready reference, a copy of the MAPONY/NJ white paper is attached hereto.

 

1. MAPONY/NJ MISSION STATEMENT

 

At the April BoD meeting, it was decided to update our MAPONY/NJ Mission Statement to read as follows:

 

It is the mission of the Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ to serve the commercial maritime industry in the NY/NJ region by monitoring and disseminating data regarding vessel activity to its members and the public, to act as an advocate for the commercial maritime interests of the Port at the municipal, state, and federal level, and to promote the safety of navigation, the security of maritime assets, the protection of the marine environment, and the competitiveness of Port services.

 

1. WATERFRONT NAVIGATOR

 

NYC Economic Development Corp has announced the availability of their WATERFRONT NAVIGATOR product. Over the past several years, NYCEDC has worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the NYS Department of Environmental Protection, and many interested members of the maritime community (including MAPONY/NJ) to construct a website that will serve to assist persons seeking permits for waterfront property maintenance and/or construction to understand the complex requirements to obtain the requisite permits from the various regulating agencies. The website is rather concise and helpful in guiding a permit seeker through the necessary steps to obtain the proper permits. The website can be accessed at: waterfrontnavigator.nyc