Captain's Log, 10.1.05

Well, the Hudson Waterfront Museum is “almost” back in business. Museum President and Barge Captain David Sharps tells us of the old adage “If you build it, they will come.” Here I thought they meant teachers, students, the general public, and new showboat audiences. Little did I know, it was the US Coast Guard!

The Museum’s Pier 44 homeport construction project involved the state, local and federal governments. All construction permits were acquired and now the project is nearly complete. These permit reviews, however, have prompted current talks with the US Coast Guard. The Museum has applied for “Attraction Vessel Status”. Coast Guard “Attraction Vessel” Status will allow the historic Lehigh Valley Barge #79 (Barge 79) to travel to ports of call within the NY Harbor and along water highways including the Hudson River. Following two meetings with Coast Guard Commanders and an initial inspection of Barge #79 by Coast Guard personnel, the Museum has been given a work list of CG-835 requirements. Upon completion of this work list, the Museum will acquire Coast Guard "Attraction Vessel" status.

Work for Coast Guard Compliance includes: completing Pier 44, installing a more sophisticated fire alarm system, installing new gate-type safety railings at the cargo doors, developing plans of existing electrical, plumbing, boiler and fuel systems, providing specifications for all equipment on board, upgrading all electrical fixtures to marine grade materials, and installing emergency lighting. Also required are High Water Bilge Alarms, additional fire and safety equipment, emergency lighting, life rings, gangway nets, a second escape hatch from the below deck offices, air compressor inspection, and a safety interlock double-throw switch for operating either ship or shore power breakers to prevent energizing both sources simultaneously. Work is anticipated to begin in 2006 and take approximately four to six months. Upon completion Barge #79 will begin operation with a Certificate of Inspection as an attraction vessel and resume educational programming.

Our 2005 season’s programming was filled with a variety of activities:

MARITIME EDUCATION INITIATIVE attracted nearly 1,000 visitors aboard throughout the year for group tours.

CIRCUSundays in June, under the artistic direction of Karen Gersch, played three shows daily each Sunday in June. Over 1,200 visitors also enjoyed “Sequins to Sawdust” - an art exhibition featuring drawings and paintings by our talented Ocean Ringmistress, Karen Gersch.

SUNSET MUSIC SERIES, under the artistic direction of George Tocci, christened our new homeport Pier 44 with close to 500 visitors listening to fine music as varied as washboard swing to rockabilly funk. All of the shows were featured on Powell Burn’s Brooklyn Access TV show.

BLUE LINKS 2005 TOUR, KINGSTON, NY As part of our mandate to link NYC historic vessels with upstate river communities, Barge 79 was towed upriver in August for a ten day run of cultural and maritime programs. The trip upriver took 18 hours.

With the collaboration of the Hudson River Maritime Museum , the Museum presented two Circus shows, a night of folk music and open hours to over 500 people. The Blue Links Tour also included the Clearwater, the John J. Harvey Fireboat, the Tugboat “Urger” and other vessels that offered tours, rides and events.

Looking towards 2006, we hope to announce in the very near future that Barge 79 is an official attraction vessel and that cultural programming will continue as previously enjoyed. “Blue Links 2006” will welcome the Tugboat Pegasus as the Museum's official tugboat and is exploring ports of call options including Brooklyn Bridge Park, Governors Island, Manhattan’s Pier 63, Long Island ports-of-call and upriver destinations including Kingston and Troy, NY .