MARITIME MATTERS – March 2018

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MARITIME MATTERS – MARCH 2018

 

USCG

  • USCG reported that the report for the Hudson River Port And Waterway Safety Assessment (PAWSA) was released on March 13, 2018 (further discussion below)
  • Tappan Zee Bridge main span is expected to be lowered on APR 16-23, with operational guidelines to be advised soon
  • The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding navigational operation under the bridge behind Ellis Island is being reviewed and is expected to be released for comment shortly. This will enhance safety in the Ellis Island area, and shows good cooperation between the NPS and USCG.
  • The Stand-Up Paddler event scheduled for Sep 15, 2018 has had their permit submitted to USCG. Thanks were given to our Steering Cttee and especially to Ray Fusco, and our Passenger Vessel Sub-Cttee for working with the organizers to help plan a non-intrusive and safe event.
  • USCG observed that it would appear that the Port may be moving toward a situation where there is not sufficient local vessel repair/maintenance capacity. The increase in ferry services, and the looming requirements of Sub-Chapter M will place an increased burden on what some consider being already highly utilized repair/maintenance facilities.
  • The de-construction of the Goethals Bridge has now moved out of the channel.
  • The Lehigh Valley Rail Bridge test period has been extended through June 2108. Should mariners encounter any problem with required/timely bridge lifts, they should notify VTS. Although ConRail has pledged to be fully cooperative, it was noted that they are still using the bridge to make-up trains.

USACE

  • The Sandy Hook Channel dredging was completed at the end of February, with the next cycle currently scheduled for Fall/Winter. USACE is waiting for USCG to re-deploy the Aids To Navigation (ATONs), which is pending the availability of an appropriate buoy tender.
  • Newark Bay contracts have been let out for the 40 and 50 ft work
  • Wards Point is setting specifications for anticipated Fall/Winter work.

PANY/NJ

  • Berths 94/96 at APM were to finished by Mar 16, 2018
  • Berths 64/66 at Maher have received the required permits
  • After finalizing APM, work will commence at Port Jersey in the first week of April
  • Spring Soundings will be conducted during the Mid-April through early June period.
  • PANYNJ will work with harbor Stakeholders to host a Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution (TLD) Job Fair on April 18. MAPONY/NJ will be participating.
  • Noted that there are 4 new SULCV style container cranes enroute to the Port with an anticipated arrival date of Apr 22
  • On May 2 APM will be hosting a Port Safety day.

NJDOT

  • NJDOT is ready to proceed with PANYNJ to authorize Stevens Institute to commence the study of sub-surface currents
  • NOAA has agreed to use NJDOT survey data to update various NJ State Channel chart information
  • NJDOT is preparing to release a ferry service RFP shortly
  • NJDOT has been working with NY entities to increase synergies between NY and NJ freight flows.

NYCEDC

  • New NYC Ferry routes will commence operation this Summer, with landings at Bronx, E 90th, Stuyvesant Cove, and others.

EDU-TRAVEL

  • On March 13, a group of almost 90 Canadian students visited the Port to learn about the Port of NY/NJ and job opportunities in the TLD industry
  • Royal Caribbean Cruise Line graciously hosted the students at their Cape Liberty Terminal
  • Presentations were made by RCCL, PANYNJ, and MAPONY/NJ.
  • At the conclusion of the presentations, the students received a guided tour of the Cruise Facility
  • Pictures of the group at the Cruise facility are below:

 

Hudson River

  • With the release of the Hudson River PAWSA there will be continued review of operational safety requirements
  • The report can be found here: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=pawsaFinalReports
  • There has been an initial stand-up meeting for the Hudson River Harbor Safety Committee and that group of Stakeholders will continue to evaluate risk/mitigation issues.
  • The PAWSA report did NOT directly address, or resolve the outstanding Hudson River Anchorage issue
  • It will be critical for commercial operators and interests to become, and remain, strong participants on this new HSC. MAPONY/NJ will attend and participate.

SHARED HARBOR DAY

  • On March 24, our Education Sub Committee held a very successful SHARED HARBOR DAY event
  • The HORNBLOWER Group of Companies graciously donated the use of one of their vessels, and provide both breakfast and lunch.
  • Over 140 persons attended the event between 10AM and 2PM which had informative panels and breakout groups which encouraged discussion of topics intended to share perspectives between different modes and create better safety procedures and awareness.
  • This opportunity for a mix of professional, recreational mariners to discuss how to safely share the waterways was very well received.
  • Many thanks to the folks at HORNBLOWER, and the many volunteers of our Education Sub-Committee
  • Below are pictures of the panel discussion on board the vessel.

 

SHIPPING 101-Spring 2018

  • Shipping 101 will once again be held during the week of April 16-20, 2018.
  • The course will be held at Seaman’s Church Institute in Port Newark
  • MAPONY/NJ has sent flyers with full details. Please contact us should you require any additional information.

VIDA

  • MAPONY/NJ joined a host of other maritime stakeholders to join the VIDA Coalition in sending a letter to Senate and House leadership, urging support of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act which would both protect America’s waterways, and establish homogenous Federal regulations to regulate ballast and other discharges incidental to normal vessel operations.
  • VIDA would replace the current patchwork of often conflicting State and local regulations which cause confusion.
  • A copy of the Coalition letter can be seen here:

https://nymaritime.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/VIDA-coalition-letter-2018.pdf

HSRP

  • As a member of the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP), MAPONY/NJ will attend a meeting to be held in Miami on April 3/4/5.
  • HSRP is a Federal Advisory Committee to NOAA which advises NOAA on requirements including PORTS, weather, charting, surveying, data availability, emergency response, and other NOAA products and services.
  • All expenses are covered by NOAA.
  • This is a valuable opportunity to discuss with NOAA senior staff what requirements in our area are, and to advise regarding their focus.
  • Please contact MAPONY/NJ if you have any item which should be brought to NOAA’s attention

NAMO

  • On March 15/16, MAPONY/NJ attended the Spring meeting of the National Association of Maritime Organizations (NAMO) in Wash, DC
  • During the meeting NAMO met with senior staff from USCG, NOAA, CBP, BOEM, USDA, USACE, and CMTS to hear latest updates, and to discuss outstanding matters and requirements.