MARITIME MATTERS – SEPT. 2018

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MARITIME MATTERS – SEPT. 2018

 

USCG

  • Noted that Hurricane Season has officially opened. USCG Sector NY personnel and assets have been deployed to assist with Florence-impacted areas. All parties are urged to update and review their heavy weather plans.
  • USCG has concluded the first SAFE HUDSON program. This program was designed to have an increased USCG presence in the Hudson River in order to help promote navigational safety in the area. This program was a result of the recent PAWSA (Port and Waterway safety assessment) meetings that were held in the Hudson Valley.
  • Hudson River Safety Committee will hold its first Full Committee meeting on OCT 2, 2018 at 1000hr at the FDR Historic Center in Hyde Park, NY. MAPONY/NJ will attend and report all developments.
  • UNGA-the United Nations General Assembly started Sep 24, and will continue until Sep 30. The UNGA will cause several half, and full channel closures while key dignitaries are either present, or in motion. Full info regarding closure schedules will be posted on USCG Homeport site.
  • The Tappan Zee Bridge channel was closed for approximately 15 hours due to suspected instability of the “old” mainspan which is being deconstructed. After an Engineer’s report declaring the span stable, the channel was re-opened. There is currently a half-channel condition.
  • There was an oil spill at the Buckeye Port Reading facility which resulted in “minor” contamination. The spill was completely cleaned up, and no further problem is expected.
  • USCG Navigation is expected to establish guidelines for shipping fairways initially outlined during the ACPARS (Atlantic Coast Port Access Route Study). This will be of great benefit to shipping concerns as mixed-use coastal ocean projects (such as Offshore Wind) continue to develop.
  • The Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Ctee will consider whether it will be necessary to have currently used outside anchorage areas designated as official anchorage areas by the USCG in order to avoid any potential conflict with Offshore Wind projects that will seek to have transmission cables link to shoreside receptacles.
  • USCG has issues Marine Safety Alert 14-18 which prescribes safe operating guidelines for the proper usage of gangways and ladders. This is welcome news to help avoid improper or unsafe operations in the Port.
  • Goethals Bridge deconstruction will result in a “brief” channel closure in late October while Staten Island side structures are removed. Detailed info regarding date and closure times will be posted on Homeport.
  • USCG will review the latest active shooter protocols at the Passenger Vessel Sub-Ctte meeting scheduled for OCT 17, 2018
  • The LaGuardia Security Zone will be expanded in Nov, 2018. Full detail will be posted in Homeport.
  • USCG Sector NY has issued an updated users manual for the VTS. MAPONY has distributed the link to review the revised manual.

 

USACE

  • Maintenance dredging in Newark Bay 50ft area is expected to be completed in November
  • Maintenance dredging at Wards Point Bend is expected to be finished by October.
  • Sandy Hook Channel maintenance dredging will start in mid-October and is targeted for completion by January, 2019

 

PANY/NJ

  • PANYNJ has started the Fall soundings program.
  • Noted that dredging at piers 64/66 is done; 55/57 still working; and 76-92 will be reviewed for necessary maintenance.
  • The PANYNJ/NJDOT agreement to create a current modeling program has been signed. This project will be an updated version of the Stevens NYHOPS project, and will be very valuable for better understanding of new current patterns after dredging, and the introduction of the SULCVs.

 

NYCEDC

  • EDC is updating a study to consider adding new Ferry routes and stops. It is expected that the study will be complete by the end of 2018.
  • Noted that SBMT (South Brooklyn Marine Terminal) has been re-commissioned.
  • Dredging of Gowanus Bay is being considered for FY 2019

 

NJDOT

  • NJDOT has obtained grant funding from USCG/FEMA to replace the Emergency Escape Barge located in Liberty Park, NJ

 

NYC MWAB

  • We are pleased to advise that after a significant hiatus period, the NYC Mayor’s Waterfront Advisory Board has been re-constituted, and held its first meeting on 20 Sep, 2018. The MWAB  17 board members who represent various waterfront enterprises and activities, will advise the administration on matters related to New York City waterfront and waterways, and provide guidance to the Department of City Planning (DCP) on the development of the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. This plan, published every 10 years, provides a vision for the city’s waterfront for the next decade and beyond. DCP anticipates beginning broader public engagement on the plan in early 2019. E. Kelly is a Board member representing commercial maritime concerns.

 

TUG & BARGE DAY-2018

  • The 2018 iteration of Tug & Barge Day will take place on Oct 10, 2018 and will be located on the Staten Island Navy Homeport. T&B day is an excellent opportunity for the T&B community to display vessels, interact with vendors, offer training scenarios with USCG personnel, and interact with local elected officials and first responder organizations.

 

LABOR PEACE

  • We are most pleased to note that after successful adoption of both the Master and Local Longshore Agreements, our Port of NY/NJ is poised for 6 years of cooperation, productivity, and increased cargo opportunities!

 

ANCHORAGE STUDY

  • USACE has commenced the initial steps to conduct the NY/NJ Harbor General Reevaluation Study of Anchorage Requirements.
  • After completion of the 50 ft channel project, it became apparent that the NY/NJ Port lacked adequate anchorage facilities to accommodate increased traffic and the unique requirements related to deep-draft, large vessels.
  • In order to fast-track this 3X3 (3 years/3 Million $) project, USACE has deployed a special team including non-NY/NJ staff who are experienced in this type of evaluation study.
  • The study will examine all anchorage requirements in the Port, and will include both designated and non-designated anchorages.
  • The USACE study team has already met with our Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Ctte, and is compiling requirements, current practices, usage, and volume data for study.
  • It is expected that the study will create positive cost/benefit ratios by examining the cost of delays, and damages avoided.
  • It would be hoped that a Chief of Engineers Report could be produced by April 2020, with funding becoming available with 2020 WRDA passage.

 

NOAA PRECISION NAVIGATION

  • The NOAA Precision Navigation project is an undertaking that would combine enhanced bathymetry, meteorological data and advanced modeling to create a dynamic product that would enhance safe navigation, improve operational efficiencies, and provide mariners with real-time data and projections.
  • NOAA has already dispatched a team to meet with our Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Ctte to start to gather information about local needs, assets, and operational guidelines.

 

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

  • The successful expansion of our TLD (Transportation/Logistics/Distribution) Industry requires a planned ability to attract, train, and deploy a productive workforce.
  • To create awareness of our Industry, and to offer recruitment opportunities, two Career Awareness fairs will be held in our Area.
  • On Oct 4, PANYNJ will hold a TLD Job Fair in Newark, NJ, and on Oct 23 NYCEDC will hold a TLD Career Awareness Fair at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
  • MAPONY/NJ will conduct our SHIPPING 101 class NOV 5-9 at the SCI, Port Newark facility.
  • Please contact MAPONY/NJ for details.

 

OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY

  • Offshore wind energy concerns continue with great energy.
  • Both NY and NJ have very definite interest in developing massive wind energy production in the New York Bight.
  • Our Harbor Safety Navigation and Operations Ctte continues to meet with various Federal, State, and commercial regulators and potential operators in order to counsel about marine domain issues.
  • Key areas of concern continue to include set-back from shipping lanes, AIS, pass-through zones, cable paths, terminal requirements, and development fields.
  • MAPONY/NJ has met with key regulators, given testimony at various public hearings, and provided written comments to a variety of concerned entities.