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
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
Dredging vessel
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
Line throwing competition from the Megan Ann
Line throwing competition from the Merchant Marine Academy
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
Tugboat races

Tugster also has some great photos from the races.

 Posted by at 9:32 am
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
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.

 Posted by at 11:14 pm
Sep 032008
 

Tugboats on the Hudson River
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 Tugboats on the Hudson River Tugboats on the Hudson River Tugboats on the Hudson River Tugboats on the Hudson River Tugboats on the Hudson River Tugboats on the Hudson RiverTugboats 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 Tugboats on the Hudson River

The NYFD was also on hand.
NYFD Fireboat on the Hudson River 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 Tugboat pushing contest on the Hudson River

More tugs hanging out on the river….
Tugboats on the Hudson River

The crews of the tugboats compete in a line throwing competition.
Tugboat line throwing competition Tugboat line throwing competition

The Tug Pegasus was built in 1907 and is the oldest Tugboat in the New York City region.
Tug Pegasus on the Hudson River Tug Pegasus on the Hudson River

After the race, the tugs dock on the pier, and you can get a very close look.
Tugboats on the Hudson River
Tugboats on the Hudson River

[Both of the panoramas are linked to larger versions. I have more images and high-resolution copies; contact me if you would like them.]

 Posted by at 11:18 am
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