Save the Coasties

The U.S. Coast Guard is an odd duck, a multi-mission maritime agency that is both a military and a law enforcement service. It saves far more lives than it takes — about one million since its founding 220 years ago.

Maybe that difference is why it’s getting the prop screw in President Obama’s 2011 budget even though it had the first ship, first planes and first military doctors on the ground after the Haitian earthquake last month and did the surveys that discovered the main port needs massive reconstruction before it can handle significant long-term relief shipments. Less than five years ago the Coast Guard was the only part of the U.S. government that functioned in the first critical days after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. “Coasties,” as they call themselves, rescued over 33,500 of some 60,000 citizens saved in the wake of the disaster. They also coordinated the largest maritime rescue in world history on 9-11, helping evacuate half a million people from lower Manhattan.

(more)

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FOR THE LONGEST SEA VOYAGE IN HISTORY, BUT IT?S NOT OVER YET

On January 16, 2010, New York City artist, adventurer and sailor Reid Stowe, on his 70 ft. gaff-rigged schooner Anne, will finally have accomplished his goal of remaining at sea for 1,000 days (2 years, 7 months and 4 days) without re-supply or touching land, in the process setting or breaking 4 world records. Stowe, a NYC artist/sailor departed land on April 21, 2007 to attempt the longest sea voyage in history, 1000 days non-stop at sea.

A Push to Bring the S.S. United States Back Home

The S.S. United States, which carried immigrants to America and vacationers to Europe faster than any other ocean liner, has not sailed into New York harbor in 40 years. But some fans of the giant ship are telling city officials that it should come home to Manhattan.

Federal dollars flowing into Fort Hamilton

The federal defense-spending bill that passed Congress earlier this month contains good news for Fort Hamilton.

Urban Assembly New York Harbor School’s new campus on Governors Island brings kids right to water

They’re ready to dive in.

The Real Club Nautico Barcelona and the New York Yacht Club to co-host the NY-BCN record

- This is the first transoceanic record to be ratified by the WSSRC in a race departing from an American city and finishing at a Mediterranean port and supported by an Atlantic and a Mediterranean nautical institution

New ferry route from Liberty Harbor to Lower Manhattan

A new ferry route, from Jersey City’s Liberty Harbor to the World Financial Center on the west side of Lower Manhattan, is scheduled to open next week, according to Billybey Ferry Inc. officials.

EPA Is One Step Closer to New Ship Emissions Standards

U.S. EPA moved closer yesterday to finalizing new engine and fuel standards for the largest ocean-bound ships by sending the draft rules to the White House for review.

Acclaimed author Russell Shorto to address Dutch underpinnings of America

Next Tuesday, The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich (HSTG), kicks off the second program in a series celebrating the 400th anniversary year of Henry Hudson’s 1609 arrival in New York Harbor.

America’s Cup set for Valencia in February

The next America’s Cup looks set to take place in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Valencia in February, after more than two years of legal wrangling over the conditions and venue for yachting’s most prestigious event.

East River Commuter Ferry Service Could Be Halted, Again

For almost two years, city officials have extolled a proposal for a five-borough network of ferries, an ambitious plan that the City Council speaker, Christine C. Quinn, said would make New York “a shining example of urban sustainability for cities all over the world.”

USS New York, built with steel from Twin Towers, sets sail on maiden voyage

The USS New York, a new battleship built with steel from the World Trade Center, sailed into New York harbour today on its maiden voyage and delivered a 21-gun salute near Ground Zero.

Charting a new course

ABOARD THE JOHN J. HARVEY IN NEW YORK HARBOR – Up on deck, a group of inner-city kids – most have never before been on the Hudson River – squeal in delight, getting drenched by water.

Historic ship in Oyster Bay sold to Boston group

After deteriorating for more than six years at the Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, the historic Nantucket Lightship has been sold for $1 by the National Lighthouse Museum to a new nonprofit group in Boston that plans to move it there next month and restore it as a museum.

Before They’re Gone Pamela Talese Captures Industrial Relics From Another Era

For Pamela Talese, painting the corroding landscapes of Brooklyn’s industrial waterfront is a race to capture what’s left before it’s gone.

From Bones of Immigrants, Stories of Pain

A few weeks ago, a hearse left Tom Amorosi’s brownstone in Park Slope with the remains of 36 people who died in the 1840s and 1850s.

Titanic Memorial Cruise

Exactly 100 years since the world’s most famous maritime disaster, a cruise ship is to recreate the fateful voyage of the Titanic, complete with dinners and dancing from the era.

Our ship’s come in!

USS New York on way, with WTC steel in its bow  The Twin Towers are setting sail today.

20 years crossing the Hudson

NY Waterway celebrates two decades of ferry service

New York’s lost island

Governor’s Island rises from a history of secrecy and war