The New York Story

"Attention all units. We have a jumper on the bridge."

The plan for our final day on the Hudson River was an easy 3-4 hour cruise from Half Moon Bay to Liberty Landing Marina in New Jersey, directly across from the financial district in Manhattan. It's a spectacular destination, exorbitantly expensive, but occasionally well worth it. The marina, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island comprise Liberty State Park. We wanted to savor it all.

Serendipitously, Jeanne needed to be in Manhattan for a three o'clock meeting. The night before we worked out the details under threatening skies in Half Moon Bay. Jeanne would take the one o'clock ferry next to the marina across the river to Manhattan, with plenty of time to make the meeting.

Passing the Palisades

We left at 8:30 under clear skies and enjoyed a good ride down with the outgoing current.

Approaching the Tappan Zee Bridge the Coast Guard Sector New York radio announced that the TZ Bridge navigational channel was closed. We consulted the website which said it would close at 1200. We called the bridge authority and the recording said closure would begin at 0700. Luckily they advised us to call Tug Pilgrim on Channel 13; which we did and the friendly captain permitted us to pass.

We checked on the construction progress since our last passage on May 27. Approved

A blogger friend of ours calls the waters of New York Harbor "The Sixth Borough." It's fitting and has unique characteristics; a different mode of transportation, language, communication, and protocols. When passing another boat, which is termed the stand-on vessel, you call them on the radio to say you intend to pass on the right. In nautical jargon, it goes like this: "See you on the two." 

Tankers typically wait for the tide to change in their favor for the ride up the river.

The waters afford unique views of the monoliths on terra firma.

Approaching the battery the traffic gets busier. This screen doesn't show all traffic; just those transmitting AIS.

Busy harbor

We met an Australian sailor a few weeks back who commented on the traffic in New York Harbor. He'd heard it was crazy, but once he'd experienced it, said it was not nearly as crazy as Sydney Harbor.

Every conceivable kind of vessel, including the New York Fire Department.

Safely tied up at Liberty Landing in plenty of time for Jeanne to catch the ferry across.

Just a minute. What's this? A fire aboard Sally W? No! Those fire department guys spotted our two tugs on the river and followed us in to take a look at the boats. Even the chief of the Fire Department City of New York Marine Division, in the white shirt, was curious. 

We chatted, gave them a tour, and at the right moment, asked them if they knew how Jeanne could cross the channel here to catch the ferry. "What for?" they asked. We explained, we they said, "Oh, we'll take her across." Just like that.

Big score! Off went our working girl to the other side.



As they were pulling into the small harbor in the financial district, the call came in: ATTENTION ALL UNITS. WE HAVE A JUMPER ON THE BRIDGE. It made for a quick disembark of working girl, and off they sped.

While she was gone we washed the boats, took showers, did laundry, shopped for groceries, got massages, gave tours .... well ... not really all of that. It was 100 degrees. We plugged in, closed up and turned on the AC. When Jeanne returned, Sally and Allan's friends Glen Davis and wife Merrill arrived and we all went to dinner.

Glen presented us with this image which he took from his condo in Union City, NJ during our epic journey dodging commercial traffic earlier in the day. Thank you, Glendissimo. Kinda puts us in perspective, doesn't it?

Jeanne and Bob rose before sunrise to savor the contrast of the stillness of the pre-dawn sleepy New York Harbor ... enjoy the coolest part of the day ...

... and a reflective moment. Jeanne captured this striking image of a 911 memorial to fallen New Jerseyites, with names etched in the marble.

It would be another scorcher. We were anxious to get on the water. As we departed the six borough, we saluted the Gray Lady ...

... rounded the corner at the battery (which looks void of traffic in this shot, but was just a fluke; the bright orange Staten Island ferries were ubiquitous) ...

... and headed up the East River, passing many landmarks ...

One of six naval training vessels heading down the East River

... and interesting craft.

Above Hell Gate, we were passed by this modern tug heading to escort a tanker through the sixth borough. We said goodbye to New York and headed up into New England waters.



Moxie enjoyed the sights.