Contrary to our “usual” policy of not holding HOPs Cttee meetings in July or August, on July 6, 2016 our Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee (Harbor Ops) held a meeting of the Steering Committee at the USCG Sector NY conference room.
Key points of interest for the month of July, 2016 were as follows:
- USCG
- As previously reported, CDR Ellis Moose will depart to assume his new duties at USCG NAVCEN. At this meeting he made his last “farewells”, and introduced CDR Nicole Vaughan who will take over his Sector NY Prevention duties. CDR Vaughan joins us from her last deployment which was in San Francisco.
- CDR Moose discussed the pending Hudson River Anchorages docket. He advised that he expected it to be a “complex rulemaking” due to expected conflicts with homeowners protesting intrusions on their viewshed, and protected fish habitats, especially the Hudson sturgeon. He noted that many of the submitted comments are requesting public hearings for this docket. 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.
- It was advised that a Port and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA) was being tentatively scheduled for the week of September 12-16. When noted that there was a conflict with the Tug& Barge Day scheduled for September 14, USCG advised that they would explore the possibility of scheduling change for the PAWSA, and would advise all parties accordingly.
- ADM Poulin (2 star), who has succeeded ADM Linda Fagan as Commander of District 1 joined the HOPs Stg Cttee meeting. Roundtable introductions were made, and a discussion ensued wherein ADM Poulin stated that he looked forward to working with all members, and that he shared the common interest in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection while supporting commercial maritime enterprises. He stressed that working partnerships were vital to success.
- 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. Further details regarding scheduling will be forthcoming shortly.
- The USCG Training Vessel EAGLE is still scheduled to visit NY/NJ August 5-7, 2016. Further information regarding visitation/viewing will be forthcoming.
- 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. At present, the USCG is still reviewing the submitted NRA. The CHPE cable submittal will also have to be evaluated in conjunction with the pending Hudson River Anchorage proposal.
- The petition for additional mooring buoys remains under consideration. MAPONY/NJ has submitted written comments in FAVOR of this proposal. At this time USACE advised that the Troy, NY permit has been approved, the Bay Ridge Flats South permit will be approved, but the Bay Ridge Flats North permit is still pending the closure of the public comment period. The Jamaica Bay permit remains pending while the National Parks Service has voiced dissent, despite the existence of extensive commercial activity in the area.
- Maintenance dredging is still 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 need to be done to examine the possible causes for this, and mitigate the problem as is necessary.
- 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. NYCEDC will submit an “amended” proposal, but it was noted that the 62nd St location will always be subject to significant wake, surge, and exposure issues.
- Although NYCDEP has “officially” abandoned the water siphon between Staten Island and Brooklyn, the Great Lakes dredge barge No 54 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 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.
- 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. As a follow-up, USACE reported that the utility crossing would have a “minimal” (approx 150 ft) intrusion into the western portion of the navigation channel, and as such would not seem to pose any major problem.
- NOAA
No report.
- PANY/NJ
No report
- NYCDOT
- Reported that they have been made aware that there is an artist who will be seeking to initiate an “art project” which will impact the 3rd Avenue Bridge. The project could begin installation in late 2017, and be in place through July/August of 2018.
- NYCDOT will bring this matter before the Passenger Vessel Sub-cttee for further discussion.
- PILOT TRAINING PROJECT
- The pilot training program at MITAGS began 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.
- It was reported that the Pilots are OK with the parameters, and that training/evaluation is proceeding as scheduled.
- Energy Sub-Cttee
- Met with Williams regarding a potential for another pipeline to cross the Lower Bay.
- Noted that there “may” be another cable project that is looking at possible placement in the Hudson River.
- Tug & Barge Cttee
- Reviewed the successful Brooklyn Tug & Barge Information Day
- Discussed operating restrictions pertaining to the ongoing Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project.
- Confirmed that the annual Tug & Barge Day will be held at Homeport on Sept 14, 2016
- 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.
- MAPONY/NJ
- Reported on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body’s intent to present their Draft Ocean Action Plan, and recommended all parties to review same.
- Reported that the public comment period for the BOEM 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 has been extended from July 6 to July 13. MAPONY/NJ has already filed a written comment on this proposal.
- Reported the activities at the Posedonia Convention in Greece, and distributed copies of the PORT OF NY/NJ presentation that was distributed there which included articles supplied by MAPONY/NJ, NYCEDC, and others in the NY/NJ maritime community.