New York Harbor, image (c) Robert Almeida/gCaptain

By Kevin J. Walsh

The World Trade Organization estimated that the United States of America imported $1,936 trillion worth of goods in 2010 (WTO, 2010), more than any other single nation in the world, and only $41 billion dollars less than the entire European Union.  Roughly 95% of those goods were transported to the United States on ships.  In the 21st century, marine transportation systems have become complex, just-in-time operations that have been perfected by centuries of experience.  There are many steps in the global supply chain, including planning, procurement, development, warehousing, and logistics, which lead to the delivery of the final product to the end user. At some point, the global supply chain will encounter the international maritime transportation system, and cargo will be carried in a container or in bulk form (liquid or solid) on a ship.

Pictured above is a snapshot of ships, tug boats, and ferries in New York Harbor, being identified by Automatic Identification System (AIS)

When these ships cross the threshold of New York Harbor they are entering one of the busiest seaports in the world.  In 2009 it was ranked the 23rd largest port in the world based on total cargo volume.  The American Association of Port Authorities ranks the Port of New York/New Jersey as the third busiest port in the United States, based on total imports and exports by weight (American Association of Port Authorities, 2010).  New York Harbor is the largest port on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States and it supports the most densely populated metropolitan area in North America. The journal of Commerce recorded that 4,811 ships entered the harbor in 2010, carrying over 32.2 million metric tons of cargo valued at over $175 billion (Leach, 2011).  As such, New York Harbor is the backbone of the Northeast Region of the United States, and is considered a port of critical importance for commerce and national security by the U.S. Federal Government.

Almost 80% of all the cargo imported into the port of New York/New Jersey is marketed to consumers within 100 miles of the port, making it a critical element of the regional economy. Safe and efficient maritime commerce is essential to the growth and stability of this huge transportation hub. With so much vital transportation infrastructure surrounding the harbor such as Newark Liberty International Airport, the extensive railroad systems for Norfolk Southern and Conrail, the container terminals at Port Elizabeth, Port Newark, and the New York Container Terminal on Staten Island, the immediate area surrounding the port makes New York Harbor an ideal and desirable transportation destination.  There is no other locale in the country that has more transportation infrastructure available to sea port facilities.  Aside from the 693,031 cars, trucks, and buses the port imported in 2010, it also boasts having handled 5,292,020 loaded twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU’s) (Leach, 2011) more commonly called containers, in the same year.

Another major commodity imported into the port is bulk oil, both crude and refined products as well as chemicals.  The Bayway refinery operated by ConocoPhilips is one of the largest on the East Coast and its production levels directly impact fuel prices in the region.  Tankers carrying crude oil from St. Johns, Nova Scotia or the West coast of Africa are almost a daily presence in the harbor.  The US Energy Information Administration states, “The New York Harbor area between New York and New Jersey has a petroleum bulk terminal storage capacity of over 75 million barrels (much of which is in New Jersey), making it the largest petroleum product hub in the United States (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2009).” In many instances loaded tankers carrying the oil that is so critical to our national security, pass in and out of the harbor with only 2 feet of clearance between the hull of the tankers and the bedrock at the bottom of the harbor.  Ship captains rely on the skill and judgment of harbor pilots to ensure the safe navigation of the vessel so that the cargo can be safely transferred to shore side facilities.

Although the system that is employed in New York Harbor is nearly flawless, there are still several issues that are being addressed by the local Port Authority of New York/New Jersey and elected officials from both states.  One problem that many ports are facing is the limited depth of the port’s navigable channels.  Currently, New York Harbor is dredged to handle vessels with up to a 45-foot draft.  As economies of scale are being maximized, vessels are getting larger with deeper drafts, and are approaching the 45-foot limit.  The Port Authority has plans to dredge current channels to 50 feet to accommodate the larger vessels.   With the completion of the New Panama Canal expected in 2014 many East Coast ports are scrambling to obtain new infrastructure large enough to handle the influx of these colossal ships.  The Panama Canal is expecting to double its traffic once the new locks are completed.  The “New Panamax” size for vessels will be 1,200 feet long, 160.7 feet wide, and 49.9 feet deep.  An additional restriction is that vessels must have less than a 190-foot air draft.  The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) is expecting container ships that can carry up to 12,000 TEU’s.

Another major obstacle for the Port of New York/New Jersey is the limited air draft of the Bayonne Bridge. Constructed in 1931, the engineers and architects who designed the bridge never could have imagined the size of cargo ships that would be destined for the Port.  In the past few years several ships have struck the bridge because its 151 foot air draft is simply too small for the larger class ships that are calling on the port.  In some instances vessels must wait for low tide to gain a few more feet of air draft so that the mast or antennas do not strike the bridge.  The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey has announced plans to construct a new span over the existing bridge increasing the height of the air draft to 215 feet. This will allow the new class of ships to pass safely into Newark Bay and the massive container terminals, which are located on its shores.  The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey has already earmarked $1 billion for this project, and the total cost is expected to reach over $3 billion upon completion of the new bridge.  Global Terminal, however, has a strategic position within the port that allows ships to avoid contending with the Bayonne Bridge, and its terminal operators are taking advantage of it.  Global has recently submitted a  “permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to expand its existing wharf to 4,000 feet, long enough to develop a four-berth container port.  Jim Devine, President and CEO of Global, said the project is needed to ensure the port, which generates $36 billion in annual business activity, stays competitive beyond 2014 when larger container ships will be in use (Hack, 2011).” With industry professionals and state and local politicians actively addressing the hurdles that face the Port of New York/New Jersey, the continued growth of the port is ensured, as well as the economic and national security issues of the surrounding region.

As the leading marine transportation hub on the US East Coast, New York Harbor is attempting to play catch up to ensure that it will remain the premier maritime transportation destination on the East Coast of North America.  With its current place set within the global marine transportation field, these new improvements will drive the port among the elite of the world.  New York Harbor is already rich with maritime history, and with the continued support from the State Governments of New Jersey and New York, and a strong backing from the Port Authority, there will be many more centuries of maritime history to be written.

Kevin Walsh is a 2005 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and holds a B.S. in Marine Transportation, and an M.A. from the American Military University in Transportation and Logistics Management.  He is currently employed as a New Jersey State Pilot Apprentice at the Sandy Hook Pilots Association. 

References

American Association of Port Authorities. Port Industry Statistics. October 22, 2011, http://www.aapa-ports.org/Industry/content.cfm?ItemNumber=900

Hack, Charles. (October 14, 2011). Global Terminal, which straddles Bayonne-Jersey City border, to double wharf space so it can accommodate big container ships. October 23, 2011,

http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/10/global_terminal_which_straddle.html

Leach, Peter T. (March 3, 2011). Port of NY-NJ Containers Jumped 16 Percent in 2010. The Journal of Commerce Online – News Story. October 22, 2011, http://www.joc.com/maritime/port-ny-nj-containers-jumped-16-percent-2010?page=1

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (October 2009). New York. Independent Statistics and Analysis. October 22, 2010, http://www.eia.gov/state/state-energy-profiles.cfm?sid=NY

World Trade Organization. (March 26, 2010). Trade to expand by 9.5% in 2010 after a dismal 2009, WTO reports. International Trade Statistics. October 22, 2010, http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres10_e/pr598_e.htm

Photo © 2009 New York Shipping Association.

The following are the results of a study that was conducted to provide updated estimates on the economic impacts that the Port of New York and New Jersey has upon the region in an attempt to educated policymakers, decision makers and citizens about the importance of the industry.  The results of the study, as you can imagine, should turn some heads.

More than 279,200 jobs generated by activity in the Port of New York and New Jersey, according to a study released today. The independent economic impact study of port operations, prepared by A. Strauss-Wieder Inc., of Westfield, New Jersey, showed that jobs directly associated with port activity increased by nearly 3.5 percent, despite turbulent economic conditions, since the last time a similar comprehensive economic impact analysis was conducted in 2008. The assessment also shows the significant economic value that the port and maritime industry has and continues to generate through investments in the Region’s maritime infrastructure and through the capital markets.

The analysis was prepared for the New York Shipping Association, Inc. (NYSA) and New York Maritime, Inc. (NYMAR) and reflects the economic impacts associated with the port and maritime industry in New York and New Jersey as it operated in the year 2010. The report summarizes the maritime movement of goods and people through the region, the substantial capital investments that have and continue to be made in the region’s port infrastructure, and the extent of the maritime-related capital market activity that occurs in the New York-New Jersey area.

“This study, commissioned by the membership of NYSA and NYMAR shows us how the cargo and passengers flowing through the terminals of the Port of New York and New Jersey positively impact the economy of the region. The employers and employees of the port community support the businesses and population of the largest and wealthiest consumer market in the world. Further, the public and private sectors have collectively invested billions of dollars to enable the Region to handle the growing amount of international trade. We have a state-of-the-art Port and, through our investments, have also generated significant and ongoing economic value,” said Joseph C. Curto, President of the New York Shipping Association.

“The significant results of this study make it very clear that the maritime industry continues to play a critical role in the business of this region. We are an international hub of maritime movement and maritime related investment businesses and both directly through the movement of goods and services, and through the ship owning, banking, insurance and legal infrastructure which exists in New York to support the global maritime-related investment businesses. The combination attracts international companies to our cluster,” said Peter Shaerf, Chairman of NYMAR.

The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the East Coast, the third largest port in the United States by volume, and the second largest in value; serving more than 35% of the entire population of our country.

General highlights of the study show that port operations provide:

• a total of 279,200 full-time jobs in the NY-NJ region;
• 170,770 direct jobs
• $11.6 billion in annual personal income;
• Nearly $37.1 billion in annual business income
• Almost $5.2 billion in federal, state and local tax payments

The purpose of the study is to update the estimate of economic impacts of the port upon the region, thereby educating policymakers, decision makers and citizens about the importance of the industry. In addition, the report describes how the investment of public agencies and private industry invested substantially in the port since 2006, resulting in state of the art facilities, deeper channels and multimodal access to North America. It also takes into account the aggressive capital program planned for the port region and the jobs and revenue anticipated from that work.

“Ocean shipping is the most economically efficient, safest and environmentally sound method for the shipment of import and export cargo. Because of its efficiency and continued relative obscurity people generally do not see the benefits,” said Curto. “This study hopefully will continue to bring awareness and support for the continued use and development of this port, and for using the region as a nexus for corporate location and activities. The capital investments in this industry from within New York in both the private and public domain are substantial and should hopefully make people more aware of the vitality of our industry” Shaerf concluded.

HIGH PRIORITY ALERT FROM MORAN SHIPPING

Please urgently be advised that the U.S. Coast Guard CAPTAIN OF THE PORT has set Hurricane Condition X RAY for the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Gale force winds from a hurricane force storm IRENE are expected to make landfall along the coast of New York New Jersey within 48 hours. In addition to the actions required by the Captain of the Port Hurricane and Severe Weather Plan, additional requirements are as follows:

Commercial deep draft vessels greater than 300 gross tons are not authorized to remain in port alongside a pier after 1800 on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

All vessels must be out of Bay Ridge, Stapleton, and Gravesend Bay Anchorage Grounds by 1800 on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

Only one barge per commercial mooring buoy, with a tug in the vicinity, is authorized after 1800 on Saturday, August 27, 2011.

In accordance with 33 C F R 160.11, barges requesting to enter, transit or remain in port must comply with the following requirements:

All barges greater than 500 gross tons desiring to remain in port must arrange safe mooring and shall complete and submit immediately to the CAPTAIN OF THE PORT a Remaining in Port Checklist for approval. Barges of 500 gross tons departing the port must plan to depart no later than 12 hours prior to the arrival of gale force winds.

Mariners are advised that the CAPTAIN OF THE PORT will impose vessel traffic control measures significantly limiting vessel movement and activities when gale force winds are within 12 hours of the port. Vessels bound for the port of New York and New Jersey which are unable to depart 12 hours prior to the arrival of gale force winds are advised to seek an alternate destination.

Please feel free to contact us anytime 24 hrs a day at the below contact information should you have any questions whatsoever regarding the Port of NY/NJ.  We will continue to operate throughout the storm and serve our customers without issue or unforeseeable delay.

Best regards,
Jeffrey J. Milstein
Operations Manager
Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc.

UPDATE: Personnel & Residents Ordered To Evacuate City Ports

Mayor Bloomberg has released the following hurricane Irene evacuation order to residents living in the orange sections of the above map (click on map image for interactive version):

Due to the approach of Hurricane Irene, the City has issued a mandatory evacuation order for New Yorkers who live in the low-lying Zone “A” coastal areas in all five boroughs. This includes all parts of the Rockaways due to its exposure to the ocean. People should be out of these areas by 5PM on Saturday.

Residents who live in Zone A are strongly encouraged to stay with friends or family outside an evacuation zone. Evacuation Centers will be open Friday at 4 PM for residents who have no alternative shelter.

MTA service including subways, buses, and railroads will begin to shut down at noon tomorrow so please prepare to evacuate immediately.

*Use the HURRICANE EVACUATION ZONE FINDER to find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone
*Due to unusually high traffic this site may be slow. Please be patient or download a map of the NYC hurricane evacuation zones (PDF)

 *NOTE: The Evacuation Center marked in the hurricane evacuation zone map as Aqueduct Racetrack, Rockaway Blvd. & 108th Street in Queens is being replaced by John Adams High School, 101-01 Rockaway Blvd., Ozone Park, 11417.

*NOTE: The Evacuation Center marked in the NYC hurricane evacuation zone map as Christ the King H.S. has been moved to Grover Cleveland H.S. Check the zone finder or call 311 for updated information. 

 

Update 2: USCG Prepares Assets For Hurricane Response

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard spent Friday moving personnel and assets to be ready to respond as Hurricane Irene churned up the eastern seaboard.

Units from the 1^st, 5^th and 7^th Coast Guard Districts implemented their hurricane plans, moving command elements, response vessels and aircraft and personnel out of Irene’s path while at the same time warning professional mariners and others on the water of approaching danger.

In addition to the aviation assets stationed along the East Coast, which are poised to respond to life-saving, pollution and disaster response missions, the Coast Guard has the ability to surge 18 more MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, six MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, three HC-144A Ocean Sentry long-range reconnaissance planes, six HC-130 Hercules cargo planes and two HU-25 Falcon jets, from air stations located around the country.

Coast Guard Captains of the Port from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Portland, Maine, are setting port conditions for 46 U.S. ports to protect maritime infrastructure, port facilities, merchant vessels and the maritime transportation system from the dangers of Hurricane Irene.

Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response Teams are movinginto staging areas in anticipation of the flooding that will come with Irene’s forecasted heavy rains.  A total of six of these seven-person teams, equipped with three shallow-water boats per team plus flood response equipment, are being deployed to staging areas.

“We need people to follow the orders of local officials and evacuate when ordered,” said Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, chief of media relations for the U.S. Coast Guard.  “We safeguard our personnel and assets in advance of the storm so that we can respond as soon as safely possible.  If you remain in an area under a mandatory evacuation order, you do so at your own peril – at the height of a storm our ability to conduct rescues may be diminished and we very well may not be able to get help to you.”

For more information about hurricane preparedness visit http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html.

Speaking of the newly appointed SUNY Maritime College president, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said, “Admiral Carpenter’s 30-plus years of naval experience and leadership make her ideally suited to be the next president of SUNY Maritime, where she is certain to enhance the college’s national reputation for excellence in academic, athletic, and leadership training. Admiral Carpenter is among the Navy’s elite, and she will be an outstanding addition to the SUNY leadership team.”

Carpenter was among the first women to be designated as a naval aviator. Graduating from flight school at the top of her class, she was selected for immediate duty as the first selectively retained graduate instructor pilot in the T-44 advanced multi-engine pipeline. In 2005, she became the Navy’s first woman aviator promoted to the rank of admiral.

College Council and Search Committee Chair Timothea Larr said, “Our extensive national search produced a strong pool of candidates from higher education, the Navy, and the maritime industry, all of which was a reflection of SUNY Maritime College’s recognized reputation for excellence. Admiral Carpenter emerged as an outstanding model of leadership and accomplishment. The search committee was highly impressed with Admiral Carpenter’s demonstrated record of leadership and significant executive accomplishments, as well as her training background and graduate studies. She will advance SUNY Maritime College’s vision of being first and foremost in international maritime education, training, and research.”

Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, said, “I applaud the selection of RADM Carpenter to head SUNY Maritime. She brings extraordinary experience and perspective from her many assignments in the U.S. Navy.”

Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, who has been tapped as the Navy’s next Chief of Naval Operations, said, “I have had the honor and privilege of serving with Admiral Wendi Carpenter for several years. She has a unique combination of intellect, leadership, and management. Wendi is among our most innovative and insightful Flag Officers. I predict great things at SUNY under her leadership.”

Admiral Carpenter said, “SUNY Maritime College is a unique campus that offers students some of the strongest, most competitive programs and training in the country. I am delighted to be considered for this position and grateful to Chancellor Zimpher, Chairwoman Larr, and the search committee for their confidence in my ability to serve as Maritime president. I look forward to putting my 30-plus years of Naval experience in many different areas of executive leadership into practice at SUNY Maritime College.”

Outgoing Maritime President Admiral John Craine said, “It has been an honor serving The State University of New York and Maritime College, and I am delighted to be turning over leadership to Admiral Wendi Carpenter. I have the utmost confidence that she will thrive as president and truly support and encourage the outstanding work of the students, faculty, and staff of this wonderful institution.”

About Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter


Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter is the daughter of an Air Force veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Raised throughout the United States, she graduated from the University of Georgia in 1976 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology.

Carpenter was commissioned in 1978 through Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla., and in July 1979 was designated a Naval Aviator. Graduating at the top of her class, she was assigned as the Navy’s first selectively retained graduate instructor pilot (SERGRAD) in the T-44 aircraft at VT-31, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. In 1981, she was ordered to sea duty with the “Ironmen” of VQ-3, NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, where she served as a mission commander, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot in the EC-130 F/G/Q aircraft. Carpenter deployed throughout the Pacific, western United States, and Alaska in support of the nation’s strategic nuclear triad. She completed a shore tour as an aviation assignments officer in Washington, D.C, and, in 1985, accepted a Reserve component commission.

Carpenter has held a total of five commands at the commander, captain, and flag level in the areas of logistics, training, and aviation in fleet, joint, and coalition operations, giving her a unique warfighting perspective. She has also completed numerous fleet and shore staff assignments.

Carpenter has accepted numerous recalls to active duty, including her current assignment. In June 2008, she assumed command of Navy Warfare Development Command where she and her team work to deliver capability for Navy, joint, and coalition forces through concept generation and development, doctrine, modeling and simulation, and experimentation.

Previous flag assignments include deputy commander, Navy Region Southeast; acting director, OPNAV N31 (Information, Plans, and Security); vice director, Standing Joint Forces HQ, U.S. Joint Forces Command; and deputy commander, Second Fleet. She has represented the United States in a number of coalition and NATO forums in Europe and Africa.

Carpenter has pursued graduate studies in marketing and holds a master of arts in international relations from Salve Regina University. She is a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College and completed Capstone 06-02, as well as executive programs in business, strategic planning, and innovation at National Defense University, Defense Acquisition University, University of North Carolina Business School, Chapel Hill, and Babson College. She has accumulated over 3,500 military flight hours.

Carpenter’s awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit awards. She is most proud of the FY01 DON CIO Award for “e-Business” in government, which was won by the 75-member team she led as Commanding Officer, DCNO N4, Fleet Readiness and Logistics.

About SUNY Maritime College

The first maritime school in the country, SUNY Maritime College couples its academic programs with a structured cadet life in the regiment for both men and women. SUNY Maritime offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, 20 varsity athletic teams, Summer Sea Terms to Europe aboard the training ship Empire State VI, five ROTC options, and US Coast Guard license and intern programs. SUNY Maritime prepares students for careers in the maritime industry, government, military, and private industry. Recent graduates of the college have benefited from nearly 100 percent job placement.

Source: Suny Maritime College

Check out this video of Eagle Service grounding just southwest of Hog Back in the East River in NYC. The video was shot and edited by Seth Greenspan, who was taping in a riverside park.  Props to Greenspan on the captions and smooth beats, and of course to the crews who got her out of quite the jam.

Here’s the description provided:

On March 18, 2011, the Eagle Service grounded a barge in the treacherous waters just south of Hells Gate, where New York City’s East river meets the Long Island Sound. It was during an exceptionally low slack tide (potentially affected by the closest approach to the moon during a seasonal tide [AKA Super Moon]) and the reasons for the grounding are uncertain. When the tide started rushing back in, the Eagle Service tried backing the laden barge off the shallows. The tide was running so hard against the barge that it turned the nose around – when it was grounded, it was pointed straight at Manhattan, but once it was off the bottom, it turned the nose towards Randall’s island and the tug had no control. The barge grounded a second time. From what i saw, I speculate the captain decided to bottom out a second time rather than be swept into Hog Back, although it may have just hung up on its own again. Now the craft was lying across the channel. The Coast Guard shut the East River down to boat traffic while a second boat came to assist – which is when I decided to grab my camera. I was set up in time to film the two tugboats outmaneuver the wicked spot they were in- stuck between the rocks and a hard current. It was a pretty slick bit of seamanship. And a real rarity too – groundings around New York city are few and far between.

Click image for high resolution

This weeks ship photo comes to us from the 18th annual running of the Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition held at Pier 84 in New York City this weekend.  Shown here is the tug parade just prior to race on September 5, 2010.

Fifteen to 20 tugboats participated in the event on the Hudson River Sunday morning, as they competed to be named the fastest boat in their class.  And it’s is not just limited to the fastest tug.  Tugs also challenge each other in nose-to-nose pushing duels and the line toss competition, where captain and crew get a chance to show off their skills and coordination.

The race is organized by the Working Harbor Committee in collaboration with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises at 42nd Street. The WHC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating people about the rich history, current vitality and future potential of the New York/New Jersey Harbor. The organization also provides Hidden Harbor Tours® and runs an extensive youth educational program.

As for the results of the race….?  You’re just going to have to check back as we await official word.

For gCaptain’s coverage from previous years, click HERE.

[Image credit: Bernard Ente]

NYC’s most distinguished Fireboat, FDNY’s “Fire Fighter” ( Marine 9 ):

With a cost of $924,000 in 1938 she is the most expensive fireboat ever constructed relative to inflation. Firefighters who have worked her deck, however, will tell you the step price tag has been repaid many times over by the work she has done throughout her 70 years of service.

Engine Room:

Marine 9′s “Fire Fighter” was designed with a pair of Winton sixteen cylinder diesel engines that each power an electric generator capable of powering her twin 1,000 horsepower electric motors. Once at the fire scene the boat’s engineers need to divide power between the screws and the fire pumps. When 100% of the power is sent to the pumps she is capable of delivering 20,000 gallons per minute of water to either her fire monitors or shore side to trucks fighting more traditional fires.

Tower:

The Fire Fighter was originally designed with a fifty-five foot water tower that has since been removed due to maintenance costs.

If you are interested in fire boats and have some extra time to donate head over to the FDNY Fireboat John J Harvey website and help restore a hero from September 11th.

Related Books:

• A Maritime History Of New York
• Report from Engine Co. 82 (a gCaptain Favorite)
• The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey(Children Book)
• Fireboats of 9/11 DVD

New York City Prison Barge, The Vernon C. Bain Center (VCBC), is an 800-bed jail barge that is designed to handle inmates from medium- to maximum-security in 16 dormitories and 100 cells. It resides on the East River approximately one mile west of SUNY Maritime College. The barge falls under the New York City Department of Corrections and is part of the vast Rikers Island jail complex, the world’s largest penal colony. The prison barge was built in New Orleans for $161 million and brought to New York in 1992 to reduce overcrowding on the island’s land-bound buildings. Since the jail is not permanently moored to the shore, Coast Guard regulations require that she have 3 maritime crew on board at all time, including a mate, an engineer and an oiler. With this in mind the blog, admiraltymaritimelaw.blogspot.com posed this question.

If an inmate or an employee is injured on the barge would it fall under admiralty jurisdiction? Believe it or not it appears the question has never been litigated, at least I can’t find it in my search of federal and New York cases.

Brooklyn Bridge: 1883 – Brooklyn, New York

1. Spans the East River.
2. First steel-wire suspension bridge.
3. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
4. Initially, Brooklyn Bridge was known as ‘New York and Brooklyn Bridge’. It was given its present name by the city government, in 1915.
5. With a main span of 1,595.5 feet (486.3 m), it was the longest suspension bridge in the world until 1903.

• www.nyc.gov

Tower Bridge: 1894 – London, England

1. Spans the River Thames.
2. Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge which is the next bridge upstream.
3. Tower Bridge remains open on a daily basis. 10:00 to 18:30 – 1st April to 30th September, and 09:30 to 18:00 – 1st October to 31st March.
4. In 1974, the original operating mechanism was largely replaced by a new electro-hydraulic drive system.
5. In May 1997, the ‘unexpected’ opening of Tower Bridge divided the motorcade of US President Bill Clinton.

• towerbridge.org.uk

CONTINUE READING for 5 Amazing Photos of all 5 Amazing Bridges.

Golden Gate Bridge: 1937 – San Francisco, California

1. The Golden Gate Bridge has been closed three times for weather.
2. The color of the bridge is officially called international orange.
3. With a length of 1.7 mi it was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed.
4. The steel used to build the bridge was made in New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania and shipped through the Panama Canal.
5. The bridge has approximately 1,200,000 total rivets.

• goldengate.org

Charles Bridge: 15th Century – Prague, Czech Republic

1. Spans the Vltava River and is the second oldest bridge in Czech Republic.
2. Eggs were used to enrich the mortar to make it bind to the stone blocks better.
3. The foundation stone was laid in 1357 on the 9th day of the 7th month at 5:31 AM. Charles IV chose this time so that the date and time were a sequence of odd numbers, 1-3-5-7-9-7-5-3-1.
4. Capital repairs of the bridge took place between 1965 and 1978.
5. During the end of the Thirty Years’ War in 1648, the Swedes occupied the west bank of the Vltava, and as they tried to advance into the Old Town a battle erupted with the heaviest fighting taking place right on the bridge.

• charlesbridgemuseum.com

“Wind and Rain” Bridge: about 100 years old – Chengyang, China

1. Spans the Linxi River near the Dong village of Maan.
2. The Bridge was built without a single nail.
3. The bridge is a Unesco World Heritage site.
4. These bridges provided local residents with places to meet, relax, socialize and exchange views.
5. The “Wind and Rain” Bridge is protected as a valued cultural relic of Dong people of China.

Brooklyn Bridge Photos – New York

Photo of the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset.

Looking at Brooklyn and the bridge.

THEN – Historic Brooklyn Bridge Photo

NOW – Modern Brooklyn Bridge Photo

Old Historic Poster from the building of the Brooklyn Bridge

Tower Bridge Photos – London

Tower Bridge At Night (Photo from boston.com/bigpicture )

Ship passing under Tower Bridge.

Photo of the building of Tower Bridge – 1892.

Tower Bridge at Sunset

Tower Bridge – Miniland, Legoland.

Golden Gate Bridge Photos – San Francisco

The long reach of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge coming out of the Fog.

Historic Photo of the Golden Gate Bridge.

View from the Golden Gate Bridge.

A closer view for the Golden Gate.

Charles Bridge Photos – Prague

Boats on the Vltava River in Prague.

The magic of Charles Bridge and Prague.

Sunrise over Charles Bridge, Prague Czech Republic.

Charles Bridge Covered in Snow.

Charles Bridge At Nigh.

Painting Bonus: Fighting on Charles Bridge in 1648 during the Thirty Years’ War.

“Wind and Rain” Bridge Photos – China

Wind and Rain Bridge in China.

“Wind and Rain” Chengyang, China

A look inside the “wind and Rain” Bridge.

No nails were used in building the “Wind and Rain” Bridge.

Walking up to the “Wind and Rain” Birdge.

This weeks ship er, barge photo comes via flickr user joseph a, who has this to say about it:

On July 13th, the new Willis Avenue Bridge was transported down the Hudson River to New York City from the Port of Coeymans near Albany. Major media outlets covered the event, with the New York Times reporting right from the Walkway Over The Hudson, and many found it hard to believe that this new piece of American infrastructure came from a port in New York rather than via the Panama Canal. Three tugs, Elizabeth, Ruby M., and Margot, assisted with the operation and were escorted by Coast Guard Cutter Ridley.

The prefabricated steel bridge measures about 350 feet long, 65 feet high and 77 feet wide and is destined for the Harlem River where it will replace the nearly 110 year old current Willis Avenue Bridge connecting upper Manhattan with the Bronx.

More photos can be found HERE.

Also check out The New York Times article Heads Turn as a Bridge Floats By