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New York’s Intrepid Air & Space Museum officially re-opened for business on Saturday for the first time since September 31, 2006.  The grand opening on Saturday morning was marked by a ceremonial ribbon cutting attended by: George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company; Connie Fishman, CEO of Hudson River Park Trust; Intrepid officials and former crewmembers.  An evening fireworks display was scheduled across the Hudson River.  In a symbolic “salute” to the Intrepid, the amphibious assault ship, USS Bataan (LHD 5), along with more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines, arrived in New York last week to be on hand for the festivities.

The entire project – which also included the complete rebuilding of Pier 86, the refurbishment of 16 historic aircraft on board, the redesigning and installation of a new Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and an inside-and-out paint job for the 65-year-old aircraft carrier – cost approximately $115 million and took less than two years. [Continue Reading →]

Reminder to those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, starting today is San Francisco’s 2008 Fleet Week.  Officially beginning in 1981, it is an annual event that honors the men and women serving in the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Marines.  A message from San Francisco’s Fleet Week Committee Chairman, Edward M. Leonard, teaches us of its interesting history:

One hundred years ago, in May 1908, 16 US Navy battleships with dozens of escorts and 14,000 sailors entered San Francisco Bay. Called the “Great White Fleet” because the ships were painted white, the fleet remained in San Francisco for two months, departing in July for Hawaii and the remainder of its 14-month cruise around the world. This was San Francisco’s first Parade of Ships and first Fleet “Week”. One of the objectives of the Great White Fleet’s voyage was to ensure that Americans were aware of the reasons for having a strong and capable Navy and to let them see those capabilities first hand. This objective still resonates 100 years later and provides the primary rationale for our annual Fleet Week celebration. [Continue Reading →]

Every year the International Maritime Organization celebrates World Maritime Day. The exact date is left to individual Governments but is usually celebrated during the last week in September. The day is used to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment and to emphasize a particular aspect of IMO’s work.

This year happens to be special as it marks the 60th anniversary of the IMO’s formation. The Secretary-General of IMO always prepares a special message and this is backed up by a paper which discusses the selected subject in greater depth. We have attached the paper and audio below. Happy Birthday IMO! [Continue Reading →]

As we reported last week, this past weekend was the 16th Annual Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition organized by the Working Harbor Committee, and once again it failed to disappoint.  The competition went on without a hitch with a total of 29 participating.  Looks like it was a beautiful summer day on the Hudson seems like a good time was had all around.

Unofficial results announced Sunday state that Ross Sea won the race but we are still waiting on official results to be released which might not be until later this week.  Bernard Ente of the Working Harbor Committee tells us:

Results will take a few days to tabulate. Every boat runs against the clock as well as a handicap for size/weight/power. Some captains are playfully objecting to the unofficial results announced yesterday. Bragging rights in the harbor are important! So we have to wait for the official papers.

Bernard is also the photographer for the Working Harbor Committee and provided us with these great photos and video below. Enjoy!

Tugs Catherine C Miller and Susan Miller proudly wave the red, white and blue on the Hudson.

Tug Dorothy Elizabeth powers through the water.  Even the New York Fire Department showed up to put on a show for onlookers.

Tugs race down the harbor for bragging rights for the year ahead.

Dorothy Elizabeth and Pegasus square up for the bow to bow push, a crowd favorite. [Continue Reading →]

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 tips@gcaptain.com.

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: [Continue Reading →]

Announcing a new feature of gCaptain’s Tools Section… Event Calendars!

We have scoured the web for all the events, conferences and exhibitions in the maritime and offshore industries and added them to our new dynamic calendars powered by google. To view our calendars visit our Maritime Tools and Links Section or click on the image above to visit our Master Event Calendar directly. So far we have all of 2008 listed but stay tuned in the coming months for 2009 events.

PLUS… view the conferences on a google map!

Did we miss an event? If so please contact us with the listing!