Hidden Harbor / Working Harbor Sunset Tour, 2009

Last night I went on a sunset cruise through New York Harbor with Michael and his parents. The Hidden Harbor Sunset Tour was sponsored by the Working Harbor Committee, and for two hours the guide pointed out and explained tug boats–both pushers and pullers, graving docks, floating drydocks, container ships and ro-ros, ferries, fireboats, bridges, barges, tankers, cranes, warehouses and other industrial maritime features. We saw a lot of water traffic, and the guide pointed out that although there are much fewer container ships these days they are much bigger. It was awesome to see everything so close up.

Our boat started at the Pier 16 near the Brooklyn Bridge, and we sailed around the edges of Brooklyn by Red Hook and Sunset Park, and even went into the Eerie Basin for a bit. Next we passed Governors Island on our way to Staten Island, through Kill van Kull and past Snug Harbor. After slipping under the Bayonne Bridge we traveled up to Port Newark and Port Elizabeth. Finally we headed back, passing the Robbins Reef Lighthouse and the Statue of Liberty.

The weather was absolutely perfect, and the harbor looked bright and vibrant. I’ve posted quite a few photos here and will post more in the series over the next few days.

Considering how much policital mileage the Mayor gets from his truncated subway commute, this is pretty embarrasing.

Link: A Mayor Who Takes the Subway — by Way of S.U.V. ($$)