Get Ready for Summer!

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, I thought I would gather up some of the many events that are going on around our harbor. Cheers to a great start to summer!

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / Newtown Pentacle

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Tonight Working Harbor Committee launches our new Hidden Harbor Tours® series, Beyond Sandy: Keeping the Conversation Alive. Get an inside look at the issues the storm brought to the forefront and proposals being discussed,  aboard the luxurious 3-level cruiser MV Zephyr. Click here for tickets.

Saturday, May 25, Newtown Creek historian and photographer Mitch Waxman will be leading an intense exploration of Newtown Creek’s Insalubrious Valley, tickets now on sale.

Sunday, May 26, Canoe Birdwatching Tour on Newtown Creek with the Newtown Creek Alliance and the North Brooklyn Boat Club –  Break out the binoculars and get tickets here!

Ride the Fireboat Harvey up the North River! Historic Fireboat John J. Harvey has a public trip scheduled up the Hudson from Manhattan to Poughkeepsie. Click here for more information.

Lilac – America’s Only Steam-Powered Lighthouse Tender is hosting Fleet Week without the Fleet. The historic steamship Lilac has special events on tap – click here for their full calendar.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum‘s kicks off their annual Summer Salute to Heroes with a movie screening of Top Gun on the flight deck of the massive carrier, Friday May 24. Click here for their holiday weekend calendar.

Going to the beach? Coney Island is open for business! Nathan’s is celebrating their grand Memorial Day reopening with a hot-dog eating contest on the boardwalk, while the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel will be giving away free rides on Sunday. The New York Aquarium will reopen to the public on May 25, but the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is still $26,000 short of its fundraising goal. You can help save Coney Island’s Mermaid Parade here.

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Navy Dolphins Find Turn-of-the-Century Torpedo

U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program. Photo: US Navy via Wikipedia

A pair of bottlenosed dolphins named Ten and Spetz have made an astounding discovery off the coast of San Diego – a late 19th century torpedo. Since the 1960s, the US Navy has worked with marine mammals, training them to locate undersea objects that even our most modern technology cannot detect. The 11 foot long, brass Howell torpedo, was the first of its kind, able to track and destroy its target without any wake.

Only one Howell torpedo was known to exist, on display at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Wash., until now. Photo: US Navy via Softpedia

From the Los Angeles Times: The so-called Howell torpedo was discovered by bottlenose dolphins being trained by the Navy to find undersea objects, including mines, that not even billion-dollar technology can detect. “Dolphins naturally possess the most sophisticated sonar known to man,” Braden Duryee, an official at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific said after the surprising discovery.

A bottlenose dolphin surfs the wake of a research boat on the Banana River near the Kennedy Space Center. Photo: NASA via Wikipedia

To train the dolphins, Navy specialists sink objects of various shapes in rocky and sandy undersea areas where visibility is poor. The shapes mimic those of the mines used by U.S. adversaries. A dolphin is then ordered to dive and search. If it finds something, it is trained to surface and touch the front of the boat with its snout. If it has found nothing, it touches the back of the boat.

Mammal handler AM-3 Shawn McDonald feeds Ten, a U.S. Navy-trained bottlenose dolphin.Photo: Don Bartletti, Mct via Deseret News

When a dolphin named Ten surfaced from a shallow-water dive last month and touched the front of the boat, Navy specialists were nonplused. “It went positive in a place we didn’t expect,” said Mike Rothe, who heads the marine mammal program.

A week later, a dolphin named Spetz did the same thing in the same area. This time, the dolphin was ordered to take a marker to the object.

Navy divers and then explosive-ordnance technicians examined the object, which was in two pieces, and determined that the years had rendered it inert. On one piece was the stamp “USN No. 24.”

US Navy sailors with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific Marine Mammal Team pose with a specially trained Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin Ten, who found the torpedo. Photo: US Navy via The Daily Mail

The torpedo pieces were lifted to the surface and taken to a Navy base for cleaning and to await shipment to the Naval History and Heritage Command, located at the Washington Navy Yard.

The dolphins have found unexpected things in the past, including a mine-shaped lobster trap during a mission off Canada with the Canadian navy. But a torpedo that was more than a century old and that the divers and trainers needed to consult explosives experts — and Google — to identify?

“We’ve never found anything like this,” said Rothe, his voice full of admiration for the marine mammals. “Never.” Read more here…

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Port of New York 1949

I’m always on the lookout for tidbits on the harbor for the blog and I came across this fascinating, historical educational video on youtube. From 1949, it talks about how the port of New York came to be the largest (at the time) port in the nation. Really great close-up footage of the working harbor.

Via travelfilmarchive

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This Tuesday, May 21, glimpse into the future of our port. Join us on the inaugural voyage of WHC’s new series of tours – Beyond Sandy: Keeping the Conversation Alive.

Expert guest speakers will inform on the many challenges we face post-Sandy, and the different solutions on the table. Come be a part of the discussion. Click here for tickets.

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Beach Bathrooms On the Way

Rendering: Garrison Architects via Architizer

When Sandy blew through last October, familiar beach facilities like lifeguard stations and changing rooms were destroyed. Now 7 months later, area beaches are racing to replace them before the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer season.

Rendering: Garrison Architects via Gizmodo

Manufactured in Pennsylvania, 37 modular, steel-framed stations will be placed on 15 sites in Rockaway Beach, Queens, Coney Island and Midland beaches in Brooklyn, and Wolfe’s Pond Park and Cedar Grove, Staten Island.

Rendering: Garrison Architects via Architizer

The galvanized steel modules can be configured into lifeguard stations, comfort stations and offices for operations. They will be elevated to FEMA’s storm standards, with ramps and stairs providing access to the beach and the boardwalk.

Rendering: Garrison Architects via Architizer

From Architizer: Garrison Architects and the New York City government are coming to the rescue with a series of modular beach facilities to be deployed around May 25. The pavilions, 37 in total, are being manufactured in Pennsylvania and will be delivered as single pieces to their respective sites. Conforming in size to interstate trucking limits, the pavilions will house comfort stations, lifeguard stations, and offices for Parks Enforcement Patrol and Maintainence and Operations Staff.

Built on pre-installed concrete piers, the pavilions will sit at or above FEMA’s revised Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs). This in addition to the selected material palette will ensure the pavilions’ resistence to future storms.

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

New York City’s Coast Guard On Watch

Photo: Business Insider Australia

Business Insider Australia recently went out with the US Coast Guard, Sector New York, on 2 night Stop and Search missions on New York harbor. While embedded with the unit, they came away with an experience of a lifetime and a play-by-play photo essay of their assignment.

A WHC shout-out to USCG New York! Thank You for watching our backs everyday.

Photo: Business Insider Australia

“Deadliest Catch” fishermen have got nothing on New York City’s Coast Guard unit, Sector New York. We embedded with the unit on a routine nighttime stop and search mission to intercept two ships coming into New York harbor. The conditions were tough, and they conduct these missions year round through any kind of weather and in the heat of day or dead of night.

Photo: Business Insider Australia

They do it 12 miles out in the Atlantic ocean where American waters begin, the wind charges in from the north, and if things go wrong, there’s no one to call for help until it’s too late.

Photo: Business Insider Australia

The boarding team we’re with is made up of six Coast Guardsmen ranging from their early 20s to mid-30s. The three crew manning the 47-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB) that carries them are no older. Regardless of age or responsibility, none of them complain and they all work equally hard in the harsh conditions.

Photo: Business Insider Australia

This was a difficult assignment for us and we were only taking photographs. Click on the Slideshow link to follow these Coast Guardsmen through the night and into morning as they search two ships — the Isola Corallo and the CMG Amber — off the coast of New York.

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Free Red Hook Weekend Ferry to Launch Memorial Day Weekend

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

Yesterday, the City announced a new FREE weekend ferry will launch May 25th and will operate all summer between Manhattan and Red Hook.

The Red Hook Summer Ferry service will run from Pier 11 in lower Manhattan to Van Brunt Street and IKEA, Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

The new stop at the Van Brunt street-end will use an existing, currently unused ferry landing just up the block from Fairway and the vibrant neighborhood of Red Hook, filled with their amazing collection of foods, wines and hand-crafted treasures by local artisans.

And as an added bonus, you’ll get a free transfer onto the northbound East River Ferry at Pier 11 – sail from Red Hook to midtown – all for free! *applause*

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

From NYCEDC:

“Hurricane Sandy hit the Red Hook community hard, and that’s why we’re making it easier than ever for New Yorkers to get to small businesses in the area in order to help the community continue to recover. By expanding the already successful free IKEA ferry to another stop in the heart of Red Hook, and by connecting it to the East River Ferry that is celebrating its two millionth ride this week, the free Red Hook summer ferry will help boost the local economy. I look forward to the Red Hook Ferry’s opening this Memorial Day and encourage all New Yorkers to try it.” – Mayor Bloomberg

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

Two boats will run as part of the Red Hook Ferry, traveling between Pier 11, the Van Brunt Street landing and the IKEA landing. More details:

• Service will run from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 25th) through Labor Day Weekend, including the Mondays of Memorial Day and Labor Day (Monday, September 2nd).
• Each landing will be served every 25 minutes, improving upon the current frequency which is approximately 40 minutes.
• Free transfers will be provided northbound on the East River Ferry at Pier 11, connecting riders from Red Hook to Midtown Manhattan.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

The Red Hook Summer Ferry is the result of a partnership between New York Water Taxi; Billybey Ferry Company, which operates the East River Ferry; Fairway Market; IKEA; and the O’Connell Organization, which owns the pier at which the Red Hook Ferry will operate. All of the City’s partners are working to make the public aware of the new service to encourage ridership.

The Red Hook Summer Ferry expanded service will provide Red Hook businesses with additional, much-needed foot traffic and economic activity, as well as provide an additional weekend transit option for local residents to an area which is presently underserved by public transportation options. Read more here…

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Beyond Sandy: High Seas on the Inner Harbor-From Wall Street to Snug Harbor

Last October, Super storm Sandy swept through our neighborhoods flooding reaching far beyond the anticipated 100-year flood maps.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

Post-Sandy, Working Harbor Committee has designed a new series of tours that focus on potential ideas and solutions from government agencies, private industry, think tanks and universities and experts from a variety of disciplines.

On Tuesday 21 May, we launch our inaugural Beyond Sandy Hidden Harbor Tour® that will cruise our harbor from Hoboken to the Verrazano Bridge and includes the Brooklyn waterfront, Staten Island’s Kill Van Kull, New Jersey, Liberty & Ellis Islands and more.

High Seas on the Inner Harbor: From Wall Street to Snug Harbor

*Click for Tickets*
Tuesday – 21 May: High Seas on the Inner Harbor:
From Wall Street to Snug Harbor

Our expert speakers will discuss proposals for massive sea gates and beach dunes to hold back surge waters. Wetlands restoration and oyster reefs could help to soften the hard edges of our shorelines to combat sea-level rise. Learn what zone modifications are being implemented for flood resistance and what methods are being devised for better clean-up of contaminants in a flood.

Special Guest Speakers:

Photo: Via Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

Lucy Ambrosino
Manager of Outreach for the Port Commerce Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Photo: Via PhilipOrton.com

Philip Orton
Research Scientist, Stevens Institute of Technology

Photo: Via CoroNY

Jill Eisenhard
Founder & Executive Director of the Red Hook Initiative

Tuesday, May 21: Our 2-hour long tour takes place on the large three-deck motor vessel Zephyr and leaves from Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport 6 pm. Order your tickets today!

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Postponed

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

I’m sorry to announce that we have to postpone the May 26 Newtown Creek boat tour. Despite our best laid plans, the NYC DOT announced they will be painting the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge over the next 4 months. What this means to us is, at various (unscheduled) times, the bridge could be locked in the closed position for up to 6 days at a time.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

From federalregister.gov: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge across Newtown Creek, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge painting operations. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge may remain in the closed position for various times up to six days at a time during a four-month period.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

Working Harbor Committee’s Captain John Doswell, together with Mitch Waxman, after much calculation and debate over vessel draft and tides, came to the mutual decision to reschedule the trip for the Fall, when the three-hour tour is not apt to be stopped in its tracks barely 30 minutes into the exploration.

Ticket holders should have already received an email from Captain John and refunds are on their way.

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience and look for our rescheduled Newtown Creek boat exploration to take place in the Fall.

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

Did You See This?

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

Working Harbor Committee’s Official photographer Mitch Waxman caught wind of a special happening on the harbor last week. The Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Co. would be moving one of their dry docks down the East River to their operation on Staten Island’s Kill Van Kull.

He grabbed his rig and headed for the waterfront to capture the event for posterity.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

From NewtownPentacle.com: The Doris Moran and the James Turecamo- towing a floating dry dock past midtown. The Caddell company’s gargantuan… dare I say cyclopean… equipment is an amazing maritime structure. A floating dry dock will submerge itself, whereupon a boat will be floated into position over it, and the structure will rise up and capture the vessel. The dry dock will fully resurface and lift the ship into the air, allowing repairs and maintenance to be performed.

Photo: ©Mitch Waxman / NewtownPentacle.com

Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Co. was founded in 1903 and initially operated out of Erie Basin in Red Hook section of Brooklyn. It relocated to the Kill Van Kull in 1916 where it has stood in continuous operation for almost a hundred years.

by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee

East River – 1903

I’d like to wish all Mom’s everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day! Special shout-out to my mother – thank you for your love and support Mom!

Please enjoy this found historic footage from 1903 of the East River shoreline and the lower piers of Manhattan via gallopingalligator.
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by Mai Armstrong for Working Harbor Committee