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16th Annual New York Tugboat Race

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 18
August 29, 2008

Photo by snapshot/Terrie

We have just received some more information from the Working Harbor Committee on this weekends 16th Annual New York Tugboat Race and sounds like it is really shaping up to be a great event with lot’s of fun things to watch.  We did post an entry on the competition last week, but just to reiterate on what it is in case you missed it I have provided this brief description:

The New York Tugboat Race is an annual contest held every August in the Hudson River for working tugboats.  The contest includes competitions such as a 1 nautical mile race, a line throwing contest and the exciting bow to bow pushing contest.  The race is organized by the Working Harbor Committee, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to spreading the word about the rich history, current vitality and future potential of the New York/New Jersey Harbor.

The following was submitted to us by the Working Harbor Committee’s Bernard Ente, Steering Committee Member.  He tells us:

We have 22 tugs in the event as of last night (Thursday).

The newest of the tugs is Andrew McAllister, a 95-foot, 6,000-horsepower tractor tug making her New York Harbor debut. She is said to be the boat to beat.

Pegasus will be returning to harbor service after a five-year restoration. Now a fully operating museum vessel, Pegasus will be helmed by her long-time captain, Pamela Hepburn, one of the first women tugboat captains in U.S.

Other competitors will include the South Street Seaport Museum’s 47-foot W.O. Decker, 107 year-old Urger, the flagship of the New York State Canal System, and several modern working tugs operated by Reinauer Transportation, K-Sea Transportation, Vinik Marine, Henry Marine Service, Bren Transportation, Miller’s Tugs and Barges and the U.S. Coast Guard.

We should be receiving the entire parade roster shortly and will post it in an update as soon as we have it.  For now, we look forward to Sunday’s event and receiving photos and stories from our readers that can be submitted to [email protected].

Links:

2007 New York Harbor Tugboat Competition | gCaptain

New York Times write-up In Search of the Toughest Tug

Event Details Provided by workingharbor.org:

When: Sunday 31 August 2008 – 9:30 AM to 2 PM

Where: Pier 84, West 44th Street and Hudson River – in Hudson River Park

Schedule:
9:30 AM – Tugs gather near Pier 84 – Spectator Boat departs Pier 83
10:00 AM – Parade of tugs from Pier 84 to the start line near the 79th Street Boat Basin.
10:30 AM – Race starts
11 AM – Nose to nose pushing contests and line toss competition.
Noon – Tugs tie up to Pier 84 for lunch and awards ceremony.
Noon to 1 PM – Special spectator contests
1 PM – Awards ceremony. Tugs depart at about 2 PM.

View the event free at Pier 84
To view the start, go to Pier I, near 72nd Street in Riverside Park South
To view the middle of the race, best spot is Clinton Cove, 55th Street and Hudson River

Information for spectator boat tickets can be found HERE

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