MARITIME MATTERS – March 2019
MAPONY/NJ February Networking Luncheon
The MAPONY/NJ Networking Luncheon held on February 27 at the India House in NYC was a great success. Our keynote speaker, RADM Jack Buono, the Superintendant at the US Merchant Marine Academy, presented the vigorous vision for the Academy and answered a variety of questions from attendees. You’ll want to be sure to attend our next event!
USCG
- The Ice Season is coming to an end and the USCG is actively replacing specialized ice aids to navigation (ATONs) with “normal” ATONs.
- There was a cyber attack incident in the Port. The event involved a US flag vessel and was contained at the vessel level. When the vessel contacted the USCG, a full, robust multi-agency response ensued. The problem was quickly found and resolved. No involved parties’ identities are revealed to maintain confidentiality. All parties are urged to review and upgrade their cyber protection protocols.
- There will be a Hudson River Harbor Safety Committee Steering Cttee meeting held on March 25, 2019.
- Fleet Week will commence on May 22, 2019 with the traditional Parade of Ships from 0700 to 1430. Berthing will be the same as last year. Brooklyn berthing will be delayed until departure of the cruise ship.
- The LaGuardia Safety Zone will become operational as of April 1, 2019.
- CDR (select) Eric Runyan will assume the duties of CDR Nicole Vaughan by mid June 2019.
Bridges
- Portal Bridge – AMTRAK has requested comments from maritime users of the waterway and is hoping to perform a test deviation of openings. The deviation would close the bridge to vessel traffic from 0500 to 1000 and from 1700 to 1800. Openings would be provided for tide restricted vessels between 0700 to 0800 and between 1700 to 1800. Comments can be made at USCG Docket USCG 2019-0086.
- PATH Vertical Lift Bridge – PANYNJ will seek to request weekend closures from April 6 through September 30 between the hours of 0001 Sunday through 0001 Monday.
USACE
- In East Rockaway, sand is being removed from the channel and is being deposited on the beach.
- Dredging of the 50ft area in Newark Bay will take place during the August to October 2019 time frame.
- Routine maintenance dredging in Sandy Hook Channel will take place in September or October 2019.
PANY/NJ
- Dredging of Berths 76-92 has been completed and hydro-surveys are being finalized.
- The two current meter work order has been placed. The first is expected to be mounted at Buoy 18, with the second to be placed in accordance with guidance from Stevens Institute as they upgrade the NYHOPS model.
NYCEDC
- Hunts Point RFP – NYCEDC has released an RFP seeking responses from qualified public entities interested in developing and operating a dedicated barge service and marine terminal in New York Harbor, serving the Bronx’s Hunts Point peninsula. More information can be found at: https://www.nycedc.com/opportunity/hunts-point-marine-terminal-rfp
- Brooklyn Cruise Terminal Expansion Project – NYCEDC Asset Management Group and McLaren Engineering Group plan to expand Pier 12 380 feet to the south with a concrete or steel pile support wharf structure. There are currently 31 expected vessel calls for 2019, with an average of 8 days between calls. Current planning calls for Preliminary Design to begin in March 2019. Design Development will to return to Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee for guidance in June 2019. The estimated construction date is early 2020 with an estimated construction end of 2021.
- The Maritime Support Services Study response period has closed with 120 replies. The replies are being analyzed and a May/June 2019 delivery is expected.
- NYC Ferry is in discussions with NYCDOT to determine next steps for the ferry service expansion.
- NYC Mayor DiBlasio announced very initial plans for increased inundation resiliency in Lower Manhattan. Initial plans could call to move the lower Manhattan shoreline into the existing waterline by as much as 500 feet. HOPs will be consulted by mid-summer of 2019.
Passenger Vessel Sub-cttee
The next meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2019.
LNG Bunkering
With the increased usage of LNG as a marine fuel, it is essential the Port of NY/NJ be both operational and competitive. MAPONY/NJ will reach out to solicit persons/organizations who want to join a NY/NJ LNG Bunkering Subcommittee.
Bayonne Tram
Staten Island EDC has made an announcement that they will study the potential to erect a Bayonne-Staten Island Tram which would be placed in proximity of the Bayonne Bridge. An April 16 demo meeting will be held and MAPONY/NJ will attend to obtain more information.
NOAA
- Colleen Roche has been named as the NOAA Northeast Navigation Manager. Colleen is a civilian NOAA employee and should provide longer-term stability.
- A new NY/NJ current study will begin June 14, 2019 with the placement of devices at approximately 30 locations. Data from the study will be used to update existing tables and models.
- NOAA will present their Coastal Inundation Dashboard at the HOPs June 2019 meeting.
NYSA
Almost 700 NEW longshoremen and checkers have been authorized to be hired in the Port area. New labor should be available in a few months and be in time for the vacation period to help avoid any labor shortages.
Shared Harbor Day
The Education Subcommittee of our Harbor Safety, Navigation and Operations Committee is inviting all members of the NY/NJ maritime community to participate in Shared Harbor Day, which will be held at Pier 15 in lower Manhattan aboard the HORNBLOWER HYBRID (which will remain dockside during the program). The program will take place from 1000 to 1400 on Sunday, April 14, 2019, and will convene a diverse mix of recreational and professional mariners with the goal of increasing safety of operations and understanding the operational realities of mixed vessels. Panels will include mariners and regulatory personnel. Attendance is free but attendees must register at: https://sharedharborday2019tickets.eventbrite.com This event is being organized by our Education Subcommittee with generous support from Hornblower.
CPP
The Council on Port Performance advised they will hold a port-wide job fair on May 15. Further information will be forthcoming. Save the date!
Deep Draft Working Group
After months of experience with the large vessels now transiting our Port after the completion of the 50 foot channel and the raising of the Bayonne Bridge, our Deep Draft Working Group has met with representatives from the marine terminals and vessel agents. Discussions covered a myriad of operational issues and concentrated on berth availability and timely arrival/departure schedules.
Recreational Vessel Committee?
Michael Fortenbough of the Manhattan Sail Squadron pointed out that in a mixed use waterway it is essential there be close coordination between recreational and professional mariners. Accordingly, Michael will reach out to various recreational boating groups to solicit interest in forming a Recreational Vessel subcommittee. He will report back at a future meeting.
SHIPPING 101
We currently have 18 participants registered for our Spring 2019 SHIPPING 101 class, scheduled for the week of April 8-12. A “few” seats are still available…get in touch with us ASAP if you want to join the April class!
ACPARS
The USCG has announced in the Federal Register that they are beginning a new study of routes used by ships to access ports on the Atlantic Coast of the USA. This study will build on the Atlantic Coast Port Access Study dated April 5, 2017. In light of developments involving offshore wind projects, this update is both timely and necessary. Initial updates will be posted to the Docket by May 1, 2019, with the initiative scheduled to be completed by May 2021. Comments may be submitted by docket number USCG-2011-0351 at https://www.regulations.gov
USACE/PANY/NJ Anchorage Study
- Work continues. USACE made a “progress report” to the HOPs Steering Committee on March 6, 2019.
- USACE urged all interested parties to help identify economic benefits accruing to new/expanded anchorages that afford better abilities to conduct bunkering, security boardings, ability to safely handle 18,000 TEU vessels, ability to secure “dead” ships or vessels with other problems, avoid unnecessary displacement of traditional users, etc. Our HOPs Committee is drafting such correspondence and “DRAFT” copies of same will be circulated for comment/revision.
- At present it seems the Gravesend area “might” be the best site for additional 50 foot anchorage(s).
BOEM
- BOEM is still in the leasing stage.
- Final wind areas to be released at the close of March 2019.
- Initial 5 year leases allow assessment/survey and submission of a construction plan.
- Hoping to hold auction in second half of 2019.
- Currently, Ocean Winds is pre-COP; Atlantic Shores (Offshore Wind) just purchased lease from US Wind and has not yet started any activity; Equinor Wind is in pre-COP.
- Potential NY Bight leases are expected from Ocean Wind, GSOE, Skipjack, and US Wind.
America’s Cup
- There will be 90 minutes of racing with a 3 hour window for setup/racing/breakdown
- June 20 Youth Day/June 21-22 Race dates
- Open to public 1500-2000hr
- Spectator area north of the race course
- Free practice days on June 19/20
- Tech base will be established at Liberty Landing Marina
- Racing craft will be stored from May 28 through July 2, 2019
- More updates re safety zones, closures (if any), etc to be forthcoming.
MAPONY/NJ Representation
- On March 5-7, 2019, MAPONY/NJ represented the interests of the Port of NY/NJ at a meeting of the NOAA FACA Hydrographic Services Review Panel. HSRP works with and advises NOAA regarding their activities in the USA. Our representation on this panel ensures our Port is at the forefront of receiving full and new NOAA products such as surveys, Precision Navigation services, PORTS arrays, current studies, etc
- On March 14-15, 2019 MAPONY/NJ represented the interests of our Port at the semi-annual meeting of NAMO (North American Maritime Organizations) which was held in Washington DC. This group gives us excellent access to HQ agency personnel, and meetings have been held with CBP, USCG, BOEM, AAPA, APA, CMTS, and others.