HARBOR HAPPENINGS – June 2018

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HARBOR HAPPENINGS – June 2018

 

USCG

  • On June 6, 2018 CAPT Mike Day was relieved of command at USCG Sector NY, by CAPT Jason Tama, who had previously been Deputy COTP. CAPT Day has been reassigned to the USCG Office of Personnel Management at the Wash DC HQ. CAPT Peter Niles assumes the position of Deputy COTP.
  • On June 9 2018, the JET SKI INVASION saw approx 500 jet skis in the Harbor. Although this crowd sourcing event was not properly permitted, due to last minute safety meetings, there were 25 police and USCG boats on hand, and there were no significant waterway management issues encountered.
  • During the week of June 24-30, 2018, USCG will enact OPERATION SAFE HUDSON. USCG personnel will work with the local boating community to enhance education, safety, and de-conflicting waterway interactions. This is a follow-up of the Hudson River PAWSA, and will coordinate with the newly established Hudson River Safety Committee.
  • We are pleased to report that the final rule has been signed, and is now in effect to allow human-powered vessels to pass under the bridge behind Ellis Island. This will allow small human-powered craft to avoid the need to enter potentially conflicted areas near Ellis Island. MAPONY/NJ has been a supporter of this rule.
  • The annual MACY’S fireworks program will be held again, with all barge positions and restricted zones basically the same as last year. Final details will be available in the USCG HOMEPORT.
  • On 4 August 2018, there will be approximately 200 kayaks involved in the annual Kayak Circumnavigation of Manhattan. No closures or problems are expected.
  • On 2 October 2018, the Hudson River Safety Committee will hold its’ first Full Committee meeting. Further details regarding time/place will be forthcoming. MAPONY/NJ WILL attend.
  • In late October of this year the British Aircraft Carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH will visit NY/NJ. The vessel is expected to anchor in upper Bay Ridge anchorage for 8 days. VTS will work with local harbor carriers to make alternative anchorage arrangements for tugs/barges/ferries, etc.
  • TCONRAIL Lehigh Valley Rail Bridge test deviation period requiring 1 hour notice prior to opening closes on 29 June 2018. After that time the Bridge will be on an Open-On-Demand basis. It is expected that the bridge passage will be closed on July 15-16 2018 to enable maintenance. It is expected that another test deviation period may be enacted in September 2018.
  • It is expected that there will be a 5 knot speed restriction in the Spuytan Duyval Bridge from June 11-17, and July 15-21 between 0700-1900hr to enable maintenance. As always, full detail is available through USCG HOMEPORT.
  • Talks continue with the NESE Offshore Pipeline project in Raritan Bay. There continues to be a variance with the burial depth. At present, Industry urges 15’ while the project manager wants 8’. The project manager is seeking justification for the additional depth, and advises that “scheduling” may pose a bigger problem than “cost” should the deeper burial be required.

 

USACE

  • The first maintenance dredging of the Newark Bay 50 ft area will take place during late July. It is expected that approx 200,000 cyds. of material will be removed. USACE is working with PANYNJ to address the 40ft areas.
  • Sandy Hook Channel is scheduled for maintenance dredging for October, also expecting to remove approx 200,000 cyds. of material.
  • Wards Point Bend dredging is planned for September 2018.

 

PANYNJ

  • PANYNJ is conducting several berth maintenance projects. Berth 94/96 is being cleared to 50 ft, with minor delay due to rack outcropping. Berth 64/66 undergoing berth reinforcing prior to dredging, and Berths 55/57 being studied to determine proper action.
  • New berth surveys expected to be available in early July
  • Berth 63 is being studied to determine impacts (if any) to SULCV operations.

 

NJDOT

  • NJDOT is developing a Freight Plan. Further details will be forthcoming.
  • Due to personnel changes, the Stevens Institute KVK current modeling project is still pending.

 

NYSA

  • A tentative framework for a 6 year agreement has been negotiated, but both Master and Local contracts must be ratified before they will be finalized.

 

NYCEDC

  • A FREIGHT NYC program will shortly be released which is focused on creating jobs, and improving the environment. NYCEDC presented the current DRAFT to the HOPs Full Committee for comment prior to finalization.
  • AECOM has advised that there may be renewed interest in a Gondola project in the harbor. This concept was considered and not employed several years ago. If revitalized, the project managers will visit HOPs for comments.
  • NYC Ferry has received a cash infusion of several hundred million dollars which will allow the expansion of the system, addition of routes/facilities, etc.
  • The second annual TLD Career Awareness Fair will be held on October 23, 2018 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Industrial stakeholders are encouraged to participate. Further details will be forthcoming.

 

SULCV Guidelines

  • The Deep Draft Working Group advises that after a substantial number of safe and successful SULCV transits, there does not appear to be any problem with the current SULCV Guidelines, and they will remain in effect until otherwise notified.

 

MARINE MAMMALS

  • On June 13, 2018, the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Marine Resources held the First Annual New York Bight Whale Monitoring Workshop at their facility located in East Setauket, NY.
  • The all-day meeting covered topics including observation methods, detection methods, population identification, and data resources.
  • MAPONY/NJ was in attendance to determine any impact on commercial maritime activities.
  • Of particular note were the large populations of several species of whales in the area, and the fact that many observations are made in traditional shipping lanes.
  • Observations are made by scheduled aviation observation, and by new bottom-mounted acoustic detectors.
  • Significant new funding has been received due to the need to study marine mammal populations in potential offshore Wind Energy areas.
  • Monthly aerial survey funding is in place for a 3 year period, with the first year completed, one underway, and a third yet to be started. Since October 2017 Cornell has deployed 15 bottom-mounted acoustical monitors.
  • The focus of the study is from the southern shore of Long Island to the edge of the Continental Shelf.
  • It is hoped that successful methods may be developed to allow the implementation of Dynamic Response areas instead of the current Area restrictions for the endangered Right Whale