MARITIME MATTERS & HARBOR HAPPENINGS MARCH 2017

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MARITIME MATTERS & HARBOR HAPPENINGS

March 2017

NOAA-

  • It has been announced that LT David Melhar will assume the duties heretofore performed by LCDR Megan McGovern who will assume a sea-going billet for NOAA. Welcome aboard Dave!

Special Award-

  • On 23 MAR 2017, RADM Linda L. Fagan, and Master CPO R. Shane Hooker assumed the Inaugural Gold & Silver Ancient Trident at a ceremony held at the Alexander Hamilton US Custom House in NYC. We applaud both recipients!! Apparently having a posting as Captain of The Port Sector New York can be good for your career!

Newtown Creek CAG-

  • The Full Newtown Creek Citizen’s Advisory Group will meet on 5APR 2017, at 1830hr at the Queens Library located on 21st Street in Long Island City. The CAG will hear updates from the EPA regarding recent study findings, and will see the NYCEDC presentation on Secondary Channels.

Education, eh?-

  • On 16 Mar 2017 a group of 75 visiting 11th and 12th grade students and staff from the Greater Toronto Area visited our Port so better understand the operation and economical importance of our Maritime Community. The group was comprised of a select number of students, and the trip was organized by EduTravel. A presentation was made by MAPONY/NJ, PANYNJ, and NYSA at the Port Newark Seamen’s Church Institute facility.

USCG-

  • The Ellis Island Proposed Rulemaking that would allow passage of small craft to pass behind Ellis Island has been re-opened to allow further comment. MAPONY/NJ has already filed comments in FAVOR of the proposed rule which would increase safety by allowing small craft to avoid transit in the more heavily travelled main channel.
  • The Staten Island Wheel Project is moving along on schedule, and an updated presentation of progress/scheduling will be made to HOPs in the near future.
  • Staten Island will be submitting a request to be designated a “Coast Guard City” in accordance with USCG HQ standards. If appropriate, after review it is expected that many harbor entities will sign on to support the proposal.
  • CAPT Day attended a meeting of the Propeller Club, and was pleased to note that our Harbor Ops Cttee was highly praised.

USACE-

  • Maintenance dredging in Port Newark Channel continues as scheduled
  • Sandy Hook Channel will become the subject of an environmental study to better understand shoaling in that vicinity.
  • Cheesequake Creek will have upland testing done if funding is found.
  • The City Wide Ferry permit for the Hallet’s Cove landing is being reviewed in consideration of the nearby kayak launch. Although the initial permit had been issued in JAN, 2017, the new review is necessitated by new information.
  • The 2018 City Wide Ferry permits are expected to be published soon.
  • The New York State Marine Highway permits in the Hudson, and at Glen Cove remain under consideration.
  • USACE is still tracking the CHPE/TDI Navigational Risk Assessment.
  • Newtown Creek has been surveyed with the result available on the USACE website.
  • It is expected that the joint USACE/PANY/NJ re-evaluation of the 50 ft dredge project should be finalized shortly. USACE/PANYNJ will contact Harbor Ops for input.

PANYNJ-

  • The replacement of current buoy(s) at Bergen Point continues to be evaluated as to the actual requirements, project schedule, available partners and funding. It is expected that this issue will be resolved shortly.

NOAA-

  • It is expected that NOAA Co-Ops group will make a presentation to the Full HOPs Cttee at the regularly scheduled June meeting

Goethals Bridge De-Construction

  • A presentation was made by KWM, and J A Pierson, the Engineering Firms managing the GB deconstruction project.
  • Monthly updates will be made available of scheduling/progress
  • Notification of any requested channel closures will be made 14 days in advance
  • June 2017 will begin prep to lower the 336ft suspended span.
  • A cantilevered support system will be used to anchor the posts.
  • During the pavement removal/deconstruction phase a 130 ft barge will be working in the edge of the channel, and netting will be in place which will reduce air-gap by approx 2 ft.
  • A minimum of 1 hr notice will be necessary to effect Move-On-Demand barge movement
  • July 2017 will begin mobilization.
  • Currently expect to lower the suspended span on August, 14, 2017. This will require a 36 hr closure of the channel.
  • Between Sept. 2017-Feb 2018 cantilevers and remaining structures to be removed.
  • During non-work overnight hours, barges will be removed from the channel, and properly lit.
  • To avoid any disruption due to barge work, vessels may wish to consider scheduling transits during night hours.