HARBOR HAPPENINGS – MAY 2017

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HARBOR HAPPENINGS MAY 2017

 

USCG

  • CAPT Day confirmed that LTC Buck will be taking over control of the Waterways Management from CDR Jake Hobsen in June. A turnover period has commenced.
  • Ellis Island proposal has received 124 comments in favor of, and 1 comment against allowing small craft to pass behind, and thereby avoid the need to transit in the main channel. It is expected that the USCG will move forward on this proposal with a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the near future. The notice would clarify such items as allowed vessel size/type, hours of clearance, etc.
  • Subsequent to the recent PAWSA, and the NTSB report, USCG is now preparing a full study of ways to enhance recreational boating safety.
  • Noted that a Stena vessel, STANDARD PERFORMANCE, broke loose from her moorings. USCG will do a full investigation.
  • Noted that BOEM will conduct a hearing pertaining to potential Off Shore Wind Energy projects on June 15. USCG will advise further info.
  • Noted that preliminary discussions regarding the annual MACY’S 4th of July fireworks display have commenced. USCG will provide full report at the June steering Cttee meeting.
  • Confirmed that as a result of the approx 37,000 gallon spill (including PCBs), there was an East River Safety Zone established on the East side of the river, and a Restricted Navigation Area (maintain steerage/no wake) on the west side of the river. Divers are still working to discover the source of the crack/leak.

 

NOAA

  • NOAA reminded all parties that the comment period for the NOAA National Charting Plan would close on June 1, 2017, and urged any interested party to file comments by that date.

 

 

USACE

  • Confirmed that maintenance dredging of Newark Bay would be scheduled for September 2017 through April 2018.
  • Confirmed that annual maintenance dredging of Sandy Hook Channel would be done during the Fall of 2017.
  • Confirmed that 6 of the 7 requested berthing permits for City Wide Ferry have been granted thus far. It is expected that an additional 4 landing permits will be sought for 2018, and by late May, or early June a Public Notice will be forthcoming.
  • USACE is considering the potential to establish standards for lighting on mooring buoys. USACE will route a “draft” Public Notice through Harbor Ops for comment before publishing.
  • Advised that the reported shoaling in front of the Bayonne Drydock appears to be in the non-Federal area between the channel and the drydock, and that the property lease should indicate the party that is responsible for remediation.
  • Confirmed that the environmental testing for Ward’s Point is currently underway.

 

 

PANY/NJ

  • Reported that 2017 maintenance dredging of berths at Maher/APMT/Global will commence in July
  • Confirmed that the MOA between PANY/NJ and USACE to re-evaluate dredging requirements in the Port has been concluded. The project will examine such issues as additional/deeper anchorages, easing the Bergen Point turn, etc. The parties will establish the initial scope of the potential project, and will present to Harbor Ops Steering Cttee for comment/review.

 

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE

  • It is currently expected that traffic will shift to the new bridge by August 2017.
  • All demolition is proceeding as scheduled with routine updates available on the HOMEPORT website.

 

GOETHALS BRIDGE

  • Project remains on schedule with E/B traffic expected to be routed to new bridge on/about June 10, 2017.
  • The project managers will produce monthly updates of all work.
  • The old deck is expected to be removed in July
  • When the main span of the old bridge is to be lowered in Mid-late August, 2017, it will be necessary to have a COMPLETE CLOSURE of the channel for a maximum of 36 hours. VTS will coordinate with all stakeholders to select the best week/day for the closure, and will give maximum advance notice. It is currently projected that the closure may occur during the week of August 21.
  • It is currently projected that piers and footers will be removed in April 2018, that cofferdams will be installed in July 2018, and that construction cantilevers will be removed between Sept 2017 and March 2018.
  • During cantilever dismantling, there may be work barges in the channel, but all barges are subject to “Move on Demand” with one hour notice.
  • Old pier footings will be removed to a depth of -46ft.

 

NYCEDC

  • Reported that the City Wide Ferry system is now operational to the Rockaways and expanded East River services.

 

CONRAIL Lehigh Valley Drawbridge

  • CONRAIL manager met with the Harbor Ops Steering Cttee to review the possibility to require one hour notice to request the raising of the said bridge due to considerations of increased train traffic, and a need to improve communications. Discussion ensued and CONRAIL will evaluate all comments and seek to re-engage the Steering Cttee as necessary.