The waterfront in 1980, and the Kosnac yard on the East River. The tug in the center still survives. Built in 1887 as New York Central 13, her restoration proceeds on Staten Island. But there's no guarantee of a berth at the Hudson River Park. (Photo: Don Sutherland)
Norfolk, Va. Our 3.5 month stay in Newport News was courtesy of the McAllister Towing Company. Our cost was about $50 for electricity usage. We had a few guests, but very few volunteers. This latest tow from Newport News to South Norfolk on January 29 took only 3 hours, 2 towboats, one crewman and one line handler! We are in a secure location, but the ship will be temporarily inaccessible to visitors and volunteers for several weeks. We will not be paying any rent until she is accessible, and shore power is available. We are scheduled to meet with the Newport News city officials on February 14, to plead our case as to why they should provide berthing for the ZuniTamaroa and how our mission will provide tourism and educational opportunities for their community."
Land Versus Sea
The dissidents on the HRPT board identify a "landbased orientation" that is different than a "maritime-based orientation," and they accuse the Park of being light on the latter. Take a little thing like insurance. Park management wants vessels that tie-up there to carry $2m worth. The figure is reasonable, but "I had to explain maritime
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insurance terms to land people," says one historic-boat restorer, "and just lay-out the language for them -- that "protection and indemnity" amounts to the same issue as "liability." But the land-based orientation of the park's administrators is also found in its designers, the architects, according to critics. "Pier 84 is not entirely satisfactory," says a boat operator of one of the park's major constructions to-date. "There's no water or electric. Pilings are badly designed, go out at an angle. They don't have proper fendering. The pilings are fastened in at the deck level of the pier, then into the mud; there's no bracing -- just timbers going to the pilings. It's not a well-built pier for this function," "this function" referring to the docking of boats. At least it has bollards. Not every pier built in the park does. The prohibition against liveaboards in the park also draws criticism from the boaters. "The Trust in my opinion has misinterpreted the Park Act," states an interested observer. "The legislation says you can't have any residential development. That was meant to deter highrise construction, not keep people from sleeping on their boats.
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