USCG Warning

HOGAN

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NEW YORK – The U.S. Coast Guard is strongly advising recreational boaters to carefully consider any recreational voyage on the Hudson River, especially its upper reaches and waterways north of the Troy Locks, until further notice.

The Troy Lock is closed and will remain closed indefinitely until debris can be cleared and storm damage repaired. This makes passage through the lock impossible for boaters traveling either north or south until further notice.

In addition, the Hudson River from 10 miles north to 10 miles south of Albany has a significant and potentially dangerous field of debris including large trees and pleasure boats broken free of their moorings washed into the river by flood waters. The field poses a risk to vessels of all types, especially to recreational craft.

“Because of the debris fields and the flood-augmented currents, the river poses potential hazards for recreational boaters," said Capt. Linda Fagan, Captain of the Port and Commander of Coast Guard Sector New York. “Great caution should, of course, be exercised on any journey, but especially on the Hudson right now because of present conditions."

The Albany-area debris field is the most extensive collection of obstacles in the river but hazardous objects can be encountered anywhere on the river, especially as the debris flows down river.

If boaters must be on the river, they are urged to exercise extreme caution and to be prepared for extensive delays in their passage, caused by the need to slowly navigate the debris fields.

Boaters are particularly encouraged to limit transits on the Hudson to daylight hours. Boaters should tie up for the night at a marina; although many marinas are damaged or not currently operational. Even areas where vessel operators might normally find a suitable location to anchor could be unsafe due to accumulated debris, underwater obstacles and heavy currents due to flooding conditions.

http://www.newyork.uscgnews.com/go/doc/802/1181747/
 
One way or another I will enjoy the boat this weekend even if it means staying at the dock.
 
Mike you might want to post in ATC etc. since there are a mess of snow birds that may be impacted.
 
The way the water looks, I don't know if you'll want to go swimming anywhere.
 
quote:

Originally posted by BenDiss

Not even by Sat or Sun?






If I could predict the future, I'd have the winning lotto tickets every week...
 
I went out yesterday and it was a real interesting ride trying to swing around all kinds of stuff. Some of the debris fields looked like islands. We did not go very far - Stony Point down to just before the TZ Bridge. There was so much stuff in the TZ area we just turned around and came back at slow speed. I am glad I did not need to go under the TZ as I could not find a clear route. I hope it clears up soon so I can enjoy the last 6 weeks of boating....
 
I ran from Kingston to NYC on the 31st and the debris fields were much worse north of Haverstraw bay. Crazy amounts of trees, picnic tables refrigerators. Given what I saw and the CG post above, I think it will only get worse for the next week or so.
 
I would not swim anywhere in our area. Sewage, oil and who knows what else is there. Im thinking I wont even leave the slip with all the crap out there. The color of the water is making it harder to see items in the water. I did see a pumpkin made the trip to the marina yesterday.
 
A pumpkin???

What next, a chicken head???
 
Pumpkins have been flowing down the Rondout regularly. We saw many go by before we figured out what all the orange things were!
 
Yeah, we saw hundreds of pumpkins floating down Rondout for three days straight. Buy pumpkin futures! We made it down the Hudson on Tuesday, albeit very slowly. It cleared up nicely after Haverstraw but next to Manhattan we found a lot more floating debris. The other boats we were parading with made it safely to Liberty Landing with only one hitting anything on the way...and it was about a 1/2 mile from our destination...figures.

Bill, it was great meeting you. I hope they can repair RYB so you can still enjoy your new boat this year!
 
Just remember, with the tidal flow, debris that was downriver on the outgoing tide will come back up when the tide turns.

If you go out, go slowly and be very careful. The stuff just underneath the surface is what will cost you new/repaired props.
 
Took some friends out last night for dinner after 36 holes of golf. Our original plan was to go up to Newburgh but ran into way too much debris to attempt a return trip after dark. Wound up at Haverstraw's restaurant which was not bad. There is no way this is clearing up by the weekend.
 
And now they are talking about rain all weekend.. Matbe this is just a way to keep us off the river and our boats safe... :--)))
 
The debris field as seen from the Bear Mt. Bridge the last two days looked scary - - an obvious line of trees, stumps, etc. maybe 10- 15 ft wide, in the middle of the river, as far as one can see both north (around Conn Hook) and south (hooking around Jones Pt.), with scattered 'satelite' debris adjacent on both sides. And that shade of brown is real enviting! not.

Unless you're at displacement speed in a steel hulled boat - and getting paid to be there - I see no good reason to be in that soup. . . for at least a few more days.
 
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