Sailboat Heading South On East River De - Masted Striking Roosevelt Island Bridge This Afternoon - Eyewitness Says Miracle Nobody injured

The Roosevelt Island Twitterverse reported a sailboat on the East River striking the Roosevelt Island Bridge this afternoon:

East River *Boat Accident* Southside of Roosevelt Island. Initial reported sailboat struck the Roosevelt Island... http://t.co/VhzNbTDA8w
— NYC Fire Wire (@NYCFireWire) September 26, 2014

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Safety Director Jack McManus added:

No damage to bridge. No injuries. The only damage was to the ships mast.

Image From William S

Tom Sakmar witnessed the incident and writes:

A large bi-hull sailboat was de-masted today (September 26, 2014) at about 2:47 p.m. when it hit the Roosevelt Island Bridge. The boat was in the East Channel of the East River heading South propelled by a rapid tidal current. The West Channel of the river was closed to most boat traffic due to United Nations Week security.

The metal mast and all the rigging and struts came came crashing down to the deck within seconds as the two adults on the deck, a man and woman, scrambled to stay clear. Neither of them appeared to be injured, but the boat started to drift toward the rocks on Roosevelt Island as the captain tried to start an outboard auxiliary motor.

A large cabin cruiser with a flying bridge was motoring Northbound and made way toward the de-masted sailboat. Eventually the cruiser spun around and appeared to come abeam of the sailboat to lend assistance.

Despite the large number of police and U.S. Coastguard vessels in the West Channel of the East River, the de-masted sail boat and cruiser proceeded under the Queensboro Bridge at about 3:00 p.m. without any assistance from the authorities.

It is really miraculous that the two people on deck were not killed or serious injured in this unfortunate accident.

Since 9/11, the West Channel of the East River has generally been closed to most boat traffic during high level security periods such as United Nations Week. Traffic is therefore rerouted to the East Channel very close to the Big Allis (Ravenswood No. 3) electric power generator, which is a huge natural gas power plant with huge kerosene fuel oil backup tanks very near to the edge of the river. Obviously there is some security trade-off here, but it’s not clear that it makes a lot of sense to the casual observer.

Sailboat Mast Hits Roosevelt Island Bridge On East River This Afternoon - Watch That Height Clearance Sailors

At about 2:30 this afternoon, the NYPD Harbor Patrol and FDNY responded to a sailboat

Image From Rebecca Knell

that struck the Roosevelt Island Bridge on the Queens side of the East River.

Image From Rebecca Knell

Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department John McManus Director explains what happened:

The mast of this sailboat, which was traveling at an extremely slow rate of speed, barely touched the lower part of the bridge. No injuries, no damage to either the boat or the bridge. There was a slight disruption of service.

Offshore Blue describes navigating the East River:

Making the trip on the East River either from Upper New York Bay to Long Island Sound or in the opposite direction, from Long Island Sound to The Battery in New York City, can be an enjoyable experience or it can be one of those things where you wish you were somewhere else... Anywhere Else!

So what’s the problem? In one word "Currents." It can be pretty frustrating watching strollers and power walkers along FDR Drive pass you by while you are motoring along at 7 or 8 knots thru the water...

... A secondary channel to the east of Roosevelt Island has an additional lift bridge with 40’ vertical clearance in the closed position. This bridge is generally not a problem since the preferred channel is to the west of Roosevelt Island. Keep in mind that the main channel can be closed when the United Nations requests it for security purposes requiring the use of the secondary channel....

Here's what it's like sailing on the West Channel past Hell Gate and Roosevelt Island.



Can get pretty bumpy.

Sailing East River Past Roosevelt Island Today

Watching sailboats go by Roosevelt Island this afternoon.



Wish we had a dock on Roosevelt Island.

Tugboat Pulls House Past Roosevelt Island On East River Today

We get to see a variety of East River boat traffic passing Roosevelt Island - barges, tankers, sailboats, motorboats, jet skis, kayaks, ferry boats, party boats, tourist boats and even the Staten Island Ferry on occasion but I don't ever recall seeing a house being pulled by a tugboat on the East River. This morning, Roosevelt Island resident Janet Falk reports seeing:

Tugboat bringing house upriver

and shares this picture.

Wonder where the house was going?

Sailboat Hit Roosevelt Island Bridge This Morning - On Scene Reporting From Residents Via Twitter

A sailboat hit the Roosevelt Island Bridge this morning. Several Roosevelt Island residents were on the scene and tweeted.

From John Paul:

It's a drama filled morning on Roosevelt island. A sailboat just hit the bridge and tipped over. twitter.com/johnkpaul/stat…
— John Paul (@johnkpaul) August 4, 2012

Image From John Paul via Twitter

From Bruce Terrell

yfrog.com/kjzc0ooj Ran into this sticky situation while bike riding on Roosevelt Island this morning.
— Bruce Terrell (@bruce_terrell) August 4, 2012

Image From Bruce Terrel Via Twitter/Yfrog

From Joseph Terranella:

@ny1 boat stuck under Roosevelt island bridge twitter.com/joeterranella/…
— Joseph Terranella (@joeterranella) August 4, 2012

Image From Joseph Terranella Via Twitter

From John Paul:

... yeah, the people are on the police boat and had no injuries according to emergency workers on the island
— John Paul (@johnkpaul) August 4, 2012

From Joseph Terranella:

@rooseveltisland boat seems to be loosening up now as the tide goes out & they loosen the mast from up top twitter.com/joeterranella/…
— Joseph Terranella (@joeterranella) August 4, 2012

Image From Joseph Terranella Via Twitter

UPDATE 8/6 -Rich Scarpitta was on the scene of Saturday's Roosevelt Island Bridge Sailboat crash. He reports

The Fire Engines raced past me on Vernon Blvd...when I caught up, they were at the bridge and someone coming off the bridge said there was a Shipwreck....I was expecting Jack Sparrow and his crew...!! !My second bridge crash in two months, as I shot the Space Shuttle Enterprise hit the RR Bridge in Jamaica Bay...!!!

and sends these photos:

PHOTOS COPYRIGHT 2012 RICH SCARPITTA

Was That A Pirate Ship Passing Manhattan Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island On East River Earlier Today - Was Pirate Bob On Board?

Image From Greg Avola via Instagram

Greg Avola Tweets:

Old ship traveling up the East River.@ Roosevelt Island instagr.am/p/MYLzjdxyg-/
— Greg Avola (@gregavola) June 27, 2012

Is the Pirate Life for you?

What's The Best Way To Navigate New York's East River Hells Gate Near Roosevelt Island - Watch Out For The Commercial Traffic Too

You Tube Video of Sailing East River Past Roosevelt Island

A question was asked on SailNet regarding the best way of going through Hells Gate on the East River just north of Roosevelt Island. The answer:

For going north through Hells Gate, I usually start 1-2 hours AFTER low tide at the battery to ride the SLACK water across the 'gate'. Leaving the battery 1-2 hours 'after' the low (at the battery), you will have only slight to moderate current against you as you travel northward up the East River but the tide/soon will soon change and 'release' you northwards through the 'gate'.
This will keep you moving instead of 'circling around' and become a hazard to the sometimes large amount of commercial traffic already 'stacking up' to wait to get through the 'gate' at SLACK water.
I usually 'buck the declining current' until at the south end of Roosevelt Island (staying in the large area just south of Roosv. Island along the Long Island Shore) until the current begins to go slack and then make a dash along the WEST side of Roosevelt I. to the 'gate' .... you pass between Roosevelt and the UN building, not the eastern branch of the East River where there is a bridge that is usually lowered....

Here's an example from a few days ago of the commercial and recreational boating traffic sharing the East River just off Roosevelt Island's Subway Pier.

Image of Commercial and Recreational East River Boat Traffic Passing Roosevelt Island

Ambulance For Roosevelt Island Patient Waiting On Raised Roosevelt Island Bridge During UN Week As Sailboat Passes Underneath

Roosevelt Island Bridge Being Raised Yesterday For Sailboat To Pass

Due to the United Nations General Assembly being in session, once again security precautions require East River boat traffic to use the East Channel when approaching Roosevelt Island. This forces the Roosevelt Island Bridge to be raised so that tall boats can pass underneath. When the Bridge gets raised, traffic is backed up and cannot enter or leave Roosevelt Island until the Bridge returns to it's normal position.

In most cases this is just a small inconvenience, but for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire, and police vehicles servicing Roosevelt Island, it can be a real safety issue. This is an annual problem for Roosevelt Island during UN General Assembly week and was reported on last year as well:

A Roosevelt Island resident sent a message expressing concern that the health and safety needs of Roosevelt Islanders are being neglected by the raising of the Roosevelt Island Bridge for non - essential boat traffic during the UN General Assembly Meeting currently being held. She was fearful that emergency vehicles such as ambulances and FDNY trucks would be delayed traveling to and from Roosevelt Island resulting in a tragedy due to the Roosevelt Island Bridge not being accessible during these openings....

Here's what happened early last evening.

At approximately 5:30 -40 PM, I noticed that the Roosevelt Island Bridge was in the Up position as a sailboat went underneath as shown in the picture at top and below.

Sailboat Passing Raised Roosevelt Island Bridge Yesterday Evening

There was an FDNY ambulance waiting on the Queens side of the Bridge waiting to cross while the Bridge was in the Up position. I do not know how long the ambulance was waiting.

When the bridge came back down the Ambulance raced across the bridge with sirens on, made a left at the bottom

Ambulance Going South On Main Street

and stopped at 546 Main Street.


I saw a Public Safety Officer in front of the building and asked him if he knew how long the Ambulance was delayed because of the the Bridge being in the open position. The officer did not know and I did not see the Ambulance personnel to ask them.

Later that evening I sent an email to Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. (RIOC) VP of Operations Fernando Martinez and Public Safety Director Keith Guerra describing what I saw and asked:

... Do you know how long, if at all, the Ambulance was delayed because of the RI Bridge Opening and if this had any effect on the resident who called the Ambulance? If you don't know, how can we find out?

As you know, Roosevelt Island residents have been concerned that emergency vehicles might be delayed because of the Bridge Opening during the UN General Assembly Week.

Mr. Guerra responded:

I was able to ascertain that the person who called the ambulance had been experiencing chest congestion. They were unaffected by any delay the ambulance may have experienced because of the bridge. Follow-up revealed that the person was ok before, during and after transport.

I replied:

Thanks for the follow up. I am glad that the person is OK.

But do we know how long the Ambulance was delayed because of the Bridge being raised?

A longer than normal response time by the Ambulance because of the Bridge being raised could have ended much differently.

Mr. Guerra:

I agree. I do not have that information. Sorry.

Here's another perspective, that from Sailblogs, a recreational boater:

... The weather was incredible today! We had a bit of stress coming in because NYC police had closed off the section of river near the UN building. We were redirected to the other side of Roosevelt Island. Unfortunately, this side had a draw bridge that hadn't gotten the word yet. There were 4 boats circling around in some pretty strong current at Hell Gate waiting for either permission to go to the other side of the island or for the bridge to raise. Luckily, the bridge came up before anything bad happened...

Sailboat Waiting For Raising Of Roosevelt Island Bridge Image From Sailblogs

Vision 2020 Waterfront Meeting Still Asks The Question Why Can't Roosevelt Island Residents Access The East River?

NYC Vision 2020 Waterfront Image From NYC Dept Of City Planning

Blogger Frogma attended last week's Vision 2020 New York City Waterfront planning session and provides a summary as to what went on. As to Roosevelt Island Frogma reports:

... People on Roosevelt Island, in particular, would like water access; they'd always been told that the currents around there are too dangerous for small boats, and it's true that they are swift around there, but they've had people who know the water look at the situation & find ways it could be done, and they'd like to see that happen. Rob actually asked in his 3 minutes if the phrase "dangerous currents" could please be dropped in future discussions - we do have powerful currents, but with a little knowledge, they aren't dangerous & in fact allow for some fantastic current-assisted trips (my longest day paddle ever, for example, was about 50 miles - try that without a flood & an ebb helping you out!)....

The NYC Department of Planning will have a copy of the presentation made at the meeting available on their web site soon and advise:

The first citywide public meeting to kick off the outreach process was held on April 8th. A copy of that presentation and a summary of the comments received will be posted to this website shortly. Thanks to all who attended the kick-off meeting.

We will be announcing the next set of public workshops soon! Stay tuned!

Here's more on the question Why Can't Roosevelt Islanders Get In The Water (including wonderful Great Big Sea video with the Chieftains) and the potential for a kayak launch from Roosevelt Island.

Reminds me of this 2007 post on the lack of Roosevelt Island waterfront access.

I have often passed Roosevelt Island on a Ferry Boat but never a sail boat. The video above illustrates what a great experience it must be. As a waterfront community it is a shame that Roosevelt Island does not take more advantage of being surrounded by the East River. For example, it would be great for a boat house and kayak launch to be established on Roosevelt island as it has been right across the river in Queens at the Long Island City Community Boat House. and at East River Crew on East 96th Street. Several years ago I inquired of RIOC about the possibility of a Kayak launch here and was told that the currents were much too strong to safely permit. But others with practical experience of such matters advised that with proper guidance a kayak launch could readily be created on Roosevelt Island.

Same old, Same old.

Sailing the East River Past Hell's Gate and Roosevelt Island

You Tube video of Sailing the East River Past Hell Gate and Roosevelt Island from Island Spirit 35

Are you planning a New York City sailing adventure that includes the East River, Hell Gate and Roosevelt Island? The Trip Sailor blog has some advice from a recent late October trip:

.. Passing through New York City on the East River on a week-day is recommended because most of the traffic will be commercial boats who are experienced with the conditions there. For boats such as ours with a low maximum motoring speed (about 7 knots), there is some debate as to the best time to get to Hell Gate, an infamous section of the passage where 7 knot and shifting currents are not unusual. The most conservative approach is to aim to reach the Gate at the slack of high-tide just before the current starts to ebb out into New York Harbor. This requires motoring for an hour against the current to get to Hell Gate at slack water. We had studied the hallowed "Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book" and read numerous online sailing discussions and settled on a plan that should be a bit more exciting, getting us to Hell Gate an hour after stack water when about a 4 knot current would carry us through. Thus, our Monday morning objective was to get to Throg’s Neck two hours after high tide at The Battery (the southernmost tip of Manhattan Island) which that day was at 7:47 am.

A large barge and two local sailboats passed us on our way to the bridge but otherwise we saw remarkably little boat traffic which allowed us to thoroughly enjoy the ride through the city. It was another beautifully sunny day, although hazy at water level, and we swung through Hell Gate at an impressive 10.6 knots (speed over ground) although we were probably only motoring through the water at 6 knots. As we zoomed past we studied: LaGuardia Airport, the partly dismantled Shea Stadium, (but we couldn’t identify the World’s Fair site beyond), Rikers Island (a huge prison complex), Hell Gate (where the Harlem River joins the East River), Roosevelt Island (a narrow island that divides the East River into an east and west channels for about a mile), the high-rises of the Upper East Side, the United Nations Building, the gleaming pinnacle of the Chrysler Building, the familiar Empire State Building, the lower buildings of mid-town and the East Village, the high-rises of the Financial District (including the hyperactive Wall Street – the NY Stock Exchange gained 900 points that day), The Battery, the Statue of Liberty, and around into the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan Island. We passed under about 10 bridges including the Queensboro (59th St) Bridge over Roosevelt Island, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. By taking the western channel around Roosevelt Island we avoided the only bridge that we would have needed to have opened for us (at 110-130 ft the rest are easily high enough) which is just as well because it would have been interesting trying to hold against the current to wait for a bridge to open. With the buildings gleaming in the sunshine it was an excellent ride and we were very glad to have been encouraged back in Newport to make this passage. In addition to the constant buzz of small commercial and sight-seeing helicopters around the harbor, as we started up the Hudson River a formation of six miliary helicopters flew low past us....

Don't forget to give a friendly wave to any Roosevelt Islander you see walking on the promenade. We'll wave back.

New Roosevelt Island Blogger Spots Obama Vote Boat Sailboat on East River

Obama New York City Sailboat image from ireport

Roosevelt Island has a new blogger, Hayley in New York and she thinks it is the coolest place ever. Last Friday she wrote:

Seadogs for Obama!
Today when I came out of the subway here on Roosevelt Island I saw the greatest thing ever: an Obama-themed sailboat floating in the East River. Seriously, this thing's sails were red, white, and blue and featured a giant image of Obama's face. Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me and a Google search for a picture turned up nothing...you'll just have to trust me that it was pretty cool :)

I also saw the Obama sailboat on the East River heading towards the 59th Street Bridge on Friday. I tried to take a picture but it was too far away at that point. I noticed two firemen in a FDNY truck nearby, one of whom took a picture of the Obama boat and asked him if he could send a picture to me so that I could post it. He said he would if he could figure out how to do it. He also said that FDNY received a call that the sailboat was in trouble but upon reaching the scene observed that the Obama sailboat was not in any trouble and was being operated by a very good sailor doing very skilled maneuvers in the water.

You Tube Video of Obama and McCain Sailboat doing 360's in East River

Roosevelt Island 360 reports:

It appears per the Vote Boat web site that the boat has images of each set of candidates, McCain and Obama, on reverse sides of the sails.

UPDATE - 4:30 - In the interests of bipartisanship and following through on Barack Obama's campaign theme that we are all Americans, here is the view of the Vote Boat's McCain side.


The reader who sent in the photo asks:

If the ship goes down who goes down first?

The answer is that we all do.

Here is You Tube Video of Barack Obama's Richmond Virginia speech emphasizing that We All Love This Country.

Kayak Marathon Race Around Manhattan

The New York City Marathon is this Sunday, November 4 and takes the runners through all five boroughs. Several weeks ago there was another New York City Marathon, but this one was on water, a 27 mile circumnavigation around Manhattan. A participant in the October 14 Mayor's Cup New York City Kayak Championship, writes in today's NY Times:

As I dug my carbon-fiber paddle into the chaotic dark water, waves crashed over the bow of my yellow surf ski. My upper back winced and my hands throbbed from fighting a honking west wind and whopping wakes from the Staten Island Ferry. Lady Liberty glistened in the distance.

Paddling through the East River's treacherous Hell's Gate near Roosevelt Island:

Hell Gate was nearby and I was petrified. Last year’s swells were reportedly “huge.” Eleanor Roosevelt had said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” This would surely fill my quota.

The water turned turbulent as I passed Mill Rock, and my heart thumped with anticipation. But it calmed just as quickly. Hell Gate was a dud this year. No complaints here.

Finally,

Cheering people lined railings along Battery Park City. I felt like a fish in a fishbowl. Their encouragement energized me, but I feared tipping if I showed gratitude. What could be deemed the longest mile finally ended as I took my last dozen strokes into the marina, clocking 4:50:18. Now it was I who was cheering.

Dragging my stiff, waterlogged body onto the pier, I felt elated and a little extra love for New York City.

Video is not from the race. It is of the East River currents adjacent to Roosevelt Island.
You Tube link is here.

Surf Paddling Around Manhattan for Autism Awareness

From outdoor clothing company Patagonia's blog the cleanestline, here is an account of the Surfers' Environmental Paddle NYC White Water event held last August. The purpose of the Paddle was to raise funds and awareness of autism. The participants paddled around the entire island of Manhattan. Pretty cool.
It is written by Patagonia ambassador Gerry Lopez.

Our somewhat motley gang of surfers attempting the first ever surf paddle circumnavigation of Manhattan were happy and energetic as we passed beneath the famed Brooklyn Bridge. Not far beyond, the Manhattan Bridge, backed up with early morning commuters, was our next landmark. Going around a slight left hand bend, the beautiful Williamsburg Bridge loomed ahead. The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building were visible through the maze of high rises. The going got smoother as the river widened and our group began to string out as the stronger paddlers surged ahead. FDR Drive was to our left and occasional drivers honked as they passed by. The borough of Queens was to our right and the Queensboro Bridge crossing Franklin D. Roosevelt Island downstream. The current was in our favor, the river banks sliding by at a rapid pace creating a very gay mood with our paddling group.

Somewhere not far ahead near the confluence of the Harlem and East Rivers was the infamous Hell Gate. Our guides had warned of this notorious obstacle which at the wrong moment of the tidal push would be all but impassable on our surf craft. At its worse, Hell Gate had floundered or capsized a multitude of ships over the years. Our hope was to cross this strait at the extreme slack tide where the currents would be at their lowest ebb. The Triborough Bridge and the Hell Gate Bridge connect Manhattan to Queens and the Bronx and pass over Ward’s Island and Randall Island. We were told to keep to the extreme left as the two rivers split so to enter the Harlem branch. I was more than a little worried about the Hell Gate after all the stories. But the bridges we passed under were many, the names a blur … the Willis Avenue Bridge, the Third Avenue Bridge, the Park Avenue Bridge … all connecting Manhattan with the Bronx. Finally I asked another paddler when we would be passing the Hell Gate and he answered that we had gone through it 30 minutes ago. I thought back and could remember only flat water. Our timing must have been impeccable for this is what the plan had been … when the ideal tide situation was researched to select the best and most favorable moment to negotiate the worrisome obstacle.

Image is from the cleanestline and photo is by John Decker.

Sailing the East River Past Roosevelt Island

Bloggers Buds @ Sea describe their recent experience with the Coast Guard, Bridge Operators, Scrap Barges, the NYPD and machine gun boats as they try to sail their way down the East River past Roosevelt Island.

We had to arrive at a famously turbulent spot in the East River called Hell Gate at slack water at 9:12am, when the current is calm for a few minutes and then proceed down with the ebb tide (out going current), admire all the sights of Manhattan's east side and proceed into New York harbor, Statue of Liberty, etc.

Among the sights of course were all those big suspension bridges: the Queensborough, Williamsburg, Manhattan, Brooklyn, etc. No problem for Sogno's 53 foot mast to pass under. HOWEVER, the EASTERN passage of Roosevelt Island. had a lift bridge (a type of draw bridge) that was only 40 above the water in its normal position. Most sailboats normally avoid it by going down the UN side of the island (WESTERN passage), but we didn't have that option this time. But everyone from the Coast Guard to the bridge operator assured all the sailboats that it would duly lift when requested to.

Well you guessed it - when the lift bridge got its moment of glory around 9:15, it wouldn't budge! Now there were around 10 sailboats, and some larger power boats all circling around in the rapidly building current waiting for the bridge or Coast Guard to do something. In the meantime a tug and ugly scrap barge were approaching and the skipper was telling us to be sure to get out of the way, because he was coming through and could get under the bridge in any event. Things then got even more interesting.

We were ordered by the Coast Guard to go around and wait on the WESTERN side. They planned to escort us through soon, but until "plan" was all approved, be sure NOT to go past the Queensborough Bridge. That was easy to figure out since there were USCG boats with 2 machine guns each, clearly blocking that area.

We all then sped off at max speed into the ebbing current to go around the north end of Roosevelt I., and then got out of the way of the tug/barge, which was escorted through the west side after all. The CG then said the lift bridge would be fixed, head back to the EAST. Then the NY PD said, we could go back down the WEST side, but the machine gun boats didn't get the word, and all was a big mess for a while. Finally it was all straightened out (after nearly 2 hours) and we all motored as slow as we could, in a single file past the UN, trying to stay separated by 1000 yards!

The You Tube video is from Island Spirits 35.
Roosevelt Island 360 has post on topic as well.

Weekend Waterfront Video for Roosevelt Island

It is Friday and the weekend is approaching. The warm weather is almost over so here is another waterfront music video to remind you of why it is great to live on the water. Could this be the future of Turbulent East River sailing conditions? Probably not.
Here is the You Tube link.

Sailboat on East River Passing Roosevelt Island

I have often passed Roosevelt Island on a Ferry Boat but never a sail boat. The video above illustrates what a great experience it must be. As a waterfront community it is a shame that Roosevelt Island does not take more advantage of being surrounded by the East River. For example, it would be great for a boat house and kayak launch to be established on Roosevelt island as it has been right across the river in Queens at the Long Island City Community Boat House. and at East River Crew on East 96th Street. Several years ago I inquired of RIOC about the possibility of a Kayak launch here and was told that the currents were much too strong to safely permit. But others with practical experience of such matters advised that with proper guidance a kayak launch could readily be created on Roosevelt Island.