Month: June 2016

The following items are issues that should prove to be of interest to MAPONY/NJ Members. As always, should any Member want to get more detailed info regarding any of these issues, please feel free to contact Ed Kelly.

 

1. SHIP STATS

 

Attached hereto please find fact sheets detailing vessel movements for May, 2016 and comparative year-to-date JAN/May.

 

2. VESSEL JOHN W  BROWN VISITING NYC

 

We are pleased to advise that the vessel SS JOHN W BROWN will be making a visit to NYC.  This ship represents not only our nation’s maritime heritage but also New York’s maritime history as she served as a High School for 37 years. 

 

Donations are being solicited and the organizing group  is still  looking for sponsors. There are a few openings for evening parties and luncheons.  For more information please contact Karen Basciano at  kbasciano83@gmail.com or 410-560-8122. 

 

The ship will be berthed at Pier 36 East River by the Manhattan Bridge. It will be open for visitors every day from Friday September 9th to Monday September 19th. 

 

As a reminder, the Marine Society will be hosting a fundraiser aboard the BROWN Friday September 9th from 5-8PM. Cocktails and hors devours will be served. There will also be an auction and the ships store will be open.

 

On Sunday September 18th there will be a cruise in NY Harbor along with an air show and various entertainment. Tickets are currently on sale on the website. www.ssjohnwbrown.org. A promotional code will be sent out as well for discounted tickets to all members. 

 

If you have any questions or request additional information please reach out to Karen Basciano. 

 

3. BOEM OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT LEASE

• As separately reported in our HARBOR HAPPENINGS for June of 2016, BOEM is accepting public comments pertaining to their evaluation of leases to be made for the development of Wind Energy Power projects in the area between the Traffic Separation Scheme Lanes south of Long Island, NY and east of Sandy Hook, NJ.
• On the evening of June 20, 2016, Ed Kelly attended the public hearing held by BOEM in the Middle School of Long Branch, NJ.
• Ed publicly testified regarding the necessity of the safety of navigation, and went on the record as requiring:

1. Noting that wind towers have been demonstrated to interfere with radar signals, it would be required to establish a minimum of 2 miles setback from the Traffic Lanes, with a minimum of 5 miles setback from the northwestern entry/exit to the Lanes
2. That all lighting be shielded so as to eliminate/minimize any interference with mariner’s night vision.
3. That at least one pass-through corridor be established to allow the free passage of smaller coastal vessels.
4. That there be a demonstrated contingency plan for any incidents which would otherwise impede normal transit navigation.
5. That the towers be equipped with both AIS and cellular telephone transponders.
6. MAPONY/NJ will also submit written testimony prior to the July 6, 2016 deadline.

 

• Public comments regarding this project may be submitted electronically to : www.regulations.gov with the code: BOEM-2016-0038 until July 6, 2016.

 

4. VGM in NY/NJ

 

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) SOLAS VI/2 regulation on verified gross mass (VGM) takes effect on Friday, July 1, 2016, at ports worldwide. All terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey will provide scale weights for use, at the carrier’s discretion, for export containers arriving to a terminal by truck without a VGM.

Under those conditions, a $10 fee may be assessed by the terminals to the ocean carrier. When a shipper has a VGM, please coordinate directly with your ocean carriers for the timing and format for transmitting.

 

Container weights provided by the railroads are not accepted for VGM purposes.

 

• For all exports received into Maher Terminals via ExpressRail Elizabeth, a VGM supplied by the ocean carrier via EDI will still be required before a container will be loaded onboard a vessel.

 

• At PNCT, APMT, GCT New York, GCT Bayonne and RHCT, any export container arriving via rail without a VGM will be assessed a $75 charge, weighed and the weight transmitted to the ocean carrier via EDI, once the charge has been paid.

 

If you have specific questions about your cargo, please contact your terminal operator

 

5. SCI FOOD TRUCK FEST

 

The Port Newark Food Truck Fest will take place at The Seamen’s Church Institute’s International Seafarer’s Center, 118 Export Street, Port Newark, on Tuesday July 12, 2016 from 3 to 7 p.m.

 

Come join truckers, longshoremen, terminal managers, and a host of other Port workers and residents for some good food and good times!

 

For tickets and information, email portfestival@seamenschurch.org, call 973-589-5828, or simply stop by the International Seafarer’s Center at the port. 

 

I hope to see you there!!

6. HUDSON RIVER ANCHORAGES

USCG has solicited public comments regarding the District 1 consideration of a petition for additional anchorages to be established on the Hudson River. We firmly support this petition and MAPONY/NJ will submit written supporting correspondence. The deadline for submittal of public comments is September 7, 2016, and comments can be submitted under Docket number USCG-2016-0132 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. MAPONY/NJ will circulate our comments to the full membership, and encourage all members to submit comments in favor of this important safety-related issue.

 

7. 50 FOOT CHANNEL

 

Although NYCDEP has “officially” abandoned the water siphon between Staten Island and Brooklyn, the Great Lakes dredge barge that was scheduled to be re-positioned from Baltimore to complete the required removal/deepening, suffered damage to its’ crane, and the project has been delayed until the crane can be restored to service. It is now estimated that work will be re-scheduled, and the work will be completed in late August, or early September 2016. We will keep all members advised of the updated schedule. Upon “completion” of this project, the Port will have a final 50 ft channel. All parties are reminded that since virtually all NY/NJ berths are dredged to 50 foot, the “actual” draft limitation will be 49 feet due to USCG requirements to maintain at least a 1 foot underkeel clearance in order for the vessel to remain “afloat” while at the berth.

 

8. MARITIME CONFERENCES

 

The vibrant Port of NY/NJ commercial maritime industry activity has attracted several Maritime-Themed conferences to our area. The traditional Port Industry Day will be held on SEPT 26; for the first time the New York Maritime Forum will include maritime operational matters and will be held on SEPT 13; and for the first time a Northeast Waterways Conference to be held on a date to be advised soon. We will relay info regarding each of these events as it becomes available.

 

9. UNITED SEAMENS SERVICE

• On June 23, 2016 MAPONY/NJ attended the Annual Meeting of United Seamen’s Service. Since 1942, United Seamen’s Service (USS) has provided recreation, communication, counseling, dining and health services for thousands of seafarers at its eight centers worldwide and to those on ships, in hospital or detention.
• USS is the organization that hosts the annual AOTOS (Admiral Of The Ocean Seas) gala dinner which benefits their overseas service centers.
• A sister organization , the American Merchant Marine Library Association (AMMLA) collects donations of both new and used books, videos, CDs, etc and forwards same to American and Allied Merchant and Military ships. On several occasions, MAPONY/NJ has organized book drops that benefit AMMLA

 

10. NEWTOWN CREEK

 

On June 14, 2016 MAPONY/NJ attended a meeting of the Newtown Creek Citizen’s Advisory Group Steering Cttee. As previously advised the Newtown Creek CAG is an advisory group to the EPA as the EPA plans the remediation of the Newtown Creek superfund site. The meeting reviewed several water quality and health study results. MAPONY/NJ attends in order to represent and further the needs and requirements of the busy Newtown Creek commercial maritime operations located there.

 

11. MARITIME EDUCATION

• On June 2, 2016 the Urban Assembly School of Global Commerce held their Career Day so the students would have an opportunity to meet people engaged in Logistics/Transportation careers and explore their future career choices. Several MAPONY/NJ members attended the function and felt that it was a rewarding experience. Any MAPONY/NJ Member interested in attending future events should contact Ed Kelly for further info.
• On June 17, 2016, MAPONY/NJ presented the MAPONY/NJ Award to Midshipman Black at the US Merchant Marine academy Awards Convocation. Ed Kelly presented the award to MIDN Black.

 

12. 12. POSIDONIA

 

The International POSIDONIA 2016 Exhibition was held in Athens, Greece on June 6-10, 2016. MAPONY/NJ had created a white paper highlighting commercial maritime activity in NY/NJ which was included in the NYMAR presentation made in POSIDONIA.  NYMAR is composed primarily of legal and financial service providers, and made a presentation to attract maritime business to the NY/NJ area. The presentation was well received.

 

In June, 2016 our Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee (Harbor Ops) had meeting of the Steering Committee on June 1 and of the Full Committee on June 15. As is traditional, the Steering Cttee June meeting was held on the tug MIRIAM MORAN with MORAN hosting lunch aboard the tug. Many Thanks to MORAN for their continued support!

Key points of interest for the month of June, 2016 were as follows:

 

1. USCG

• ADM Poulin has succeeded ADM Fagan as Commander of District 1
• LCDR Bill Grossman has left Waterways Management and has been reassigned to USCG Battery, while LCDR Jake Hobson has assumed command of Waterways Management and will be stationed at Sector NY Staten Island.
• The plans for the 4th of July Macy’s Fireworks display will be essentially the “same” as for last year due to the fireworks barges being planned to be located in the same locations as last year. It is currently planned that 4 barges will be located in the East River near Randall’s Island while 2 barges will be placed near the Brooklyn Bridge. Restricted Navigation Areas (RNAs) will be in effect from 1700-2300 hrs on the day of the event. Full detail regarding barge locations and sanctioned viewing areas can be seen on USCG HOMEPORT website.
• The USCG Training Vessel EAGLE is still scheduled to visit NY/NJ August 5-7, 2016. Further information regarding visitation/viewing will be forthcoming.
• USCG Sector NY is planning a meet-and-greet to be held on September 9, 2016 at USCG Sector NY headquarters on Staten Island in order to have the maritime community meet the new incoming USCG personnel.
• Several buoys will be temporarily relocated to facilitate dredging in Sandy Hook Channel. Full detail is available on USCG HOMEPORT website.
• To accommodate construction at the Tappan Zee Bridge, there will be scheduled closings of the main channel for 6-8 hours once or twice a week. During these closures marine traffic can utilize the alternative channels which have been recently surveyed and updated by NOAA survey teams. Full detail regarding scheduled closures is available on USCG HOMEPORT website.
• USCG and PANY/NJ have met to identify navigational issues that may arise due to the construction of the “new” Goethals Bridge. Results of their meeting should be available shortly, and we will give updated info when received.
• USCG has solicited public comments regarding the District 1 consideration of a petition for additional anchorages to be established on the Hudson River. We firmly support this petition and MAPONY/NJ will submit written supporting correspondence. The deadline for submittal of public comments is September 7, 2016, and comments can be submitted under Docket number USCG-2016-0132 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: http://www.regulations.gov. MAPONY/NJ will circulate our comments to the full membership, and encourage all members to submit comments in favor of this important safety-related issue.

 

2. USACE

• On May 1, 2016 the second “revised” Navigational Risk Assessment (NRA) for the Hudson River CHPE cable was submitted to USCG for their consideration. As previously advised, MAPONY/NJ continues to be adamantly OPPOSED to this project due to the petitioner’s plan to bury their power transmission cable in an extraordinarily long portion of the Hudson River navigational channel.
• The petition for additional mooring buoys remains under consideration. MAPONY/NJ has submitted written comments in FAVOR of this proposal.
• Maintenance dredging is planned for Newark Bay in early September 2016 and in the East River (near South Brothers Island) in mid-October 2016.
• Sandy Hook Channel has re-shoaled much more rapidly than expected and a study will be done to examine the possible causes for this.
• NYCEDC’s petition for landings for the new City-Wide-Ferry program remains under consideration. It was noted that due to the opposition by HOps, the 62nd street landing has been eliminated from the petition.
• USACE confirmed that the derelict barges have been removed from Flushing Bay.
• Although NYCDEP has “officially” abandoned the water siphon between Staten Island and Brooklyn, the Great Lakes dredge barge that was scheduled to be re-positioned from Baltimore to complete the required removal/deepening, suffered damage to its’ crane, and the project has been delayed until the crane can be restored to service. It is now estimated that work will be re-scheduled, and the work will be completed in late August, or early September 2016. We will keep all members advised of the updated schedule. Upon “completion” of this project, the Port will have a final 50 ft channel.

3. NOAA

• Confirmed that full surveys of the “back” channels of the Tappan Zee Bridge have been conducted and all charts updated accordingly. This will accommodate the afore-mentioned construction-related main channel closures to be scheduled.
• Survey vessels are updating survey data in the Hudson River. The vessels are starting in Albany, and will move south as they survey.
• NOAA COOPs is planning to conduct a study to produce a model that will predict currents in the harbor. In the fall NOAA plans to place approximately 25 temporary buoys to capture data necessary to build the model. A committee of HOps members will “mark up” a chart to indicate key areas for study/prediction so that NOAA will place the buoys in the most critical areas.

 

4. PANY/NJ

• PANY/NJ is in discussion with Buckeye who is considering the need to place an electrical/fuel line near the Bay Ridge Anchorage. This would require a small (approx 2,000 yds) amount of dredging. Buckeye pumps aviation fuel to JFK airport. Details of planning will be made available when concluded.
• Maintenance dredging of PANY/NJ piers continues. The “Ribbon Cutting” ceremony for the completion of the 50 Ft. Channel will be scheduled after the finalization of the water siphon project completion.

 

5. NYCEDC

• Confirmed that NYCEDC will host the Tug & Barge Cttee Industry Information Day at the Brooklyn Cruise terminal on June 2, 2016.
• As part of a City-wide Freight transportation Study, NYCEDC will conduct a Heavy-Lift/Oversize Study in an effort to ensure that all Boros have adequate lift/land areas that will help to remove truck traffic from local neighborhoods.
• The City-Wide Ferry system continues to move ahead. A study to determine/minimize engine emissions is being initiated.
• The Waterfront Navigator website is full functional and is expected to be of great assistance to those seeking waterfront permits.
• There is continued interest to the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal RFP with several entities expressing interest in same.

 

6. ENERGY Sub-Cttee

• Reminded all attendees that when the CHPE proposal is examined it must be remembered that an almost identical cable in SFO Bay has been found to have been insufficiently buried, and has risen to the seabed thus creating a snagging hazard, and that in addition, a similar cable in LI Sound has been found to have 9 locations where the cable had to be re-buried. These findings reinforce the Industry position that the CHPE proposal must be compelled to bury their cable at a depth considerably deeper than they have proposed.
• BOEM has given preliminary notice that they will be opening a large tract of sea bed for lease which will be located 11 miles off the Long island coast between the Traffic Separation Scheme lanes. BOEM made a presentation at this meeting to outline their plan.

 

7.  EDUCATION Sub Cttee

• Reported that they had been in touch with the operator of the on-water Newtown Creek school whose canoe had capsized recently. Safety and precautionary measures were prescribed, and the operator was invited to HOps to have a further discussion.
• It was noted that there seems to be a very significant increase in the number of jet skiers in the Port. A pilot of a large commercial tanker was forced to take evasive maneuvering action in order to avoid striking a fallen skier.
• The cttee will prepare a proposal for a budget which would allow them to proceed with several projects that they are working on. Upon receipt of the proposed budget, the Full Cttee will consider various funding options.

 

8. TUG & BARGE Cttee

• Reported on their successful Industry Information Day which was sponsored by NYCEDC at the Brooklyn Cruise terminal on June 2, 2016. The event attracted a crowd of approximately 50 people who represented various local, state and federal electeds and agency staff. After a continental breakfast, a presentation proclaiming the importance and relevancy of the Tug & Barge industry was made. Following the presentation, all attendees were invited for a tugboat ride, during which industry mariners pointed out various maritime-related activities, locations, and facilities. Three tugboats participated in the rides, and thanks go out to Moran, Vane Brothers, and Wittich Brothers for providing boats and crews.
• Eric Johansson gave an overview of his attendance at the International Tug and Salvage Conference in Boston.
• A recap of the June 13 Tappan Zee Bridge construction meeting was made.
• It was pointed out that the HOps Cttee should create better cooperation with NYC OEM so as to fully understand opportunities to work together in the event of any emergency situation.

 

9. PILOT TRAINING PROJECT

• The pilot training program at MITAGS begins on June 27, 2016. The program is designed to accurately simulate the transit of 14,000 TEU capacity vessels in the Port of NY/NJ.
• Noted that ADM Sam DeBow (NOAA, Ret), has been contracted to work with the NOAA team associated with the simulation training and modeling.

 

10. PRESENTATION

• Ms Erin Trager, New York project Coordinator for the Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) made a presentation regarding the Proposed Sale Notice for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf Offshore New York, which was published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2016, and includes a 60 day public comment period.
• The indicated area is approximately 11 nautical miles south of Long Beach, NY, and approximately 16 nautical miles east of Sandy Hook, NJ. The area is located between the Traffic Separation Scheme lanes.
• The area currently provides for a 1 nautical mile setback from the traffic lane boundaries.
• The lease will comprise a 1 year preliminary term, a 5 year Site Assessment term, followed by a 25 year operational term to be followed by either a lease extension or a decommissioning period.
• Public hearings will be held in Long Branch, NJ, Hempstead and Westhampton, NY to provide information regarding the Environmental Assessment, and to solicit public input.
• For more information visit: www.boem.gov/new-york
• It was also noted that permits for cables to shore would be governed by USACE, and all work within 3 miles of shore would require State permits.
• HOps will file comments pertaining to safety of navigation.