tugboat – Sam I am

17th Annual Tugboat Race and Competition on the Hudson River

Hudson, New York, tugboat No Responses »

Sep 092009

The 17th Annual Tugboat Race and Competition on the Hudson River was held this past Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. I went to last year’s races, and had such a fun time I decided to go again. There were fewer ships racing this year; I’m guessing it was because it was on Labor Day weekend. However, it was still a blast.

Ellen McAllister was the fastest tug of the day.
Urger
The Urger looks great–it was the oldest tug at the competition and was built in 1901.
Nathan E. Stewart

The Army Corps of Engineers dredging vessel marks the finish line.
Tugboat race
The tugboats race to the finish line.

After the race, the line throwing competition begins. Tugs have to go as quickly as possible to the pier, and throw their line over the bulb on the pier. It’s incredibly difficult.
Line throwing competition from the Ellen McAllister

The Merchant Marine Academy was racing as well. The crowd had a lot of fun cheering on the cadets.

Cornell historic tug
The Tugboat Cornell was built in 1949 and is still seaworthy

The tugs also play around on the water and do pushing competitions.

After the competitions, all of the tugs tie up to the pier and each other.
Tugboat races

Tugster also has some great photos from the races.

Goodbye QE2

New York, river, tugboat No Responses »

Oct 232008

Last Thursday Evening, October 16, Anne and I went to the Rise Bar at the Ritz Carlton in Battery Park to wish the Queen Elizabeth 2 farewell to New York City. The QE2 is on it’s final voyage; after returning to England she will be moved to Dubai as a museum.

It was a windy, gray night, but the managers at the Rise Bar had the balcony open so that we could see the QE2 along side the much larger Queen Mary 2. The ships are both very impressive, but the QE2 looks more like a classic ocean liner than the QM2.

Even though I had a tripod, it was difficult to keep the camera steady due to the fierce winds.
Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor

The QM2 waiting for the QE2

Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor
The QE2 passing in front of the QM2

Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 in New York Harbor
The QE2 sails ahead of the QM2 and out of the harbor

The New York Times has an article about the departure. And, of course, let’s not ignore the “it’s a small world” moment. The New York Times reports, “A duplicate of the pennant was presented Thursday to Grover Sanaschagrin [sic], 88, who as a harbor docking pilot guided liners to their berths from 1944 until his retirement in 1996.” I believe this is the grandfather of Grover Sanschagrin, my coworker at PhotoShelter.

Tugboat Races

New York, river, tugboat 2 Responses »

Sep 032008

This past Sunday, August 31, the Working Harbor Committee held the Sixteenth Annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition on the Hudson River. My friend Anne and I went to Pier 84 at 44th Street.

All of the tugboats line up at Pier 84 and parade up to the starting line at the 79th Street Boat Basin. Then they race as quickly as they can back down to the finish line at Pier 84.

Here are some photos of the tugs before the race.
Tugboats on the Hudson River

The crane ship from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers marks the finish line.
Tugboats on the Hudson River

The tugboats parade up to the 79th Street Boat Basin
Tugboats on the Hudson River

More tugboats!
Tugboats on the Hudson River

The NYFD was also on hand.
NYFD Fireboat on the Hudson River

Lined up for the start of the race.
Tugboats on the Hudson River

The race to the finish
Tugboats on the Hudson River

After the race, the tugboats participate in other competitions, like a pushing competition. They go head to head, and the tug that is pushed backwards loses.
Tugboat pushing contest on the Hudson River