As the 2015 recreational boating season gets underway this Memorial Day weekend, the New NY Bridge project team and representatives from the New York State Police, Rockland County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit, Westchester County Police Marine Unit, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association and other boating groups gathered at the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown today to urge all boaters to use caution on the Hudson River near the construction zone and to take advantage of the extensive safety-related information available on the project website including the 2015 New NY Bridge Boater Safety Guide.
After a long, icy winter, construction activity around the Tappan Zee Bridge has increased dramatically this year, with approximately 155 Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) vessels currently on the river between Rockland and Westchester Counties. These vessels can move around the project site at any time. Boaters are encouraged to use the New NY Bridge project’s interactive map that utilizes GPS technology to track all TZC vessels and barges to keep up to date on the construction activities. All boaters are advised to transit the main navigation channel, stay at least 1000 feet from any construction equipment and adhere to the U.S. Coast Guard Regulated Navigation Area and prohibited Safety Zone around the marked TZC mooring field.
“With boating season getting underway we are once again urging all recreational boaters to use caution in and around the New NY Bridge construction zone,” said Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Robert L. Megna. “Safety is our number one priority on the project for workers, motorists on the bridge and boaters on the Hudson River alike. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable summer while the remarkable progress on this critical infrastructure project continues.”
“The New York State Police encourages boaters to follow all navigational rules, use life vests and avoid alcohol no matter where they are on the Hudson River,” said New York State Police Troop T Captain Richard Mazzone. “This year will be especially busy near the Tappan Zee Bridge and everyone must remain vigilant to keep the river as safe and enjoyable as possible.”
“The Hudson River is a great place to boat, whether you’re local or heading to distant waters. But if the Tappan Zee Bridge is in your view, boaters need to be vigilant of safety zones, commercial traffic and especially the no wake low speed zone,” said Scott Croft, president of the Hudson River Boat and Yacht Club Association. “Taking it slow and adding a few minutes to your journey will help ensure a safe passage.”
“The U.S. Power Squadrons are dedicated to boater safety and education and that is why we are partnering with the New NY Bridge project to distribute the Boater Safety
Guides again this summer,” added Paul Okura, Vessel Examiner with the U.S. Power Squadrons. “We encourage all recreational boaters to have their vessels checked to ensure that they have the required safety equipment on board at all times and to use caution on the Hudson River near the Tappan Zee. And we also encourage all boaters to take safe boating classes so that they can avoid accidents on the water.”
During the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Westchester and Rockland County Marine Units will be adding extra overnight patrols to monitor the construction zone and encourage all boaters to obey the established safety U.S. Coast Guard safety protocols.
New NY Bridge Project Safety Enhancements include:
- Enhanced marine law enforcement patrols
- U.S. Coast Guard Regulated Navigation Area (RNA)
- “Slow, No Wake” speed zone in the RNA
- U.S. Coast Guard safety zone around barge moorings
- Lighted buoys marking the safety zone
- RNA and safety zone signage
- All vessels advised to use the main navigation channel
- Lighted channel markers providing access to Piermont marinas
- GPS tracking for TZC vessels and barges
- Interactive map showing construction vessel movement
- Additional 24-hour TZC security/safety patrols
- High-tech security cameras monitoring construction zone 24/7
- Extensive educational outreach with boating groups and marinas
More New NY Bridge boater safety information, including the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners, and construction site maps, can be found here at NewNYBridge.com. The interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is also available here for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking map is for informational purposes and not intended for navigation.
