Update on Sinking Staten Island Ferry in New Windsor

Last week we received another update on the sinking retired Staten Island ferry in New Windsor, near Newburgh. This time, our watchdog in the area took photos of the ferry from his boat. See those below.

From: BA
To: John Lipscomb
Subject: Ferry in Newburgh

John,

Returned to find the ferry in an even more precarious position, listing more offshore. Launched my boat today in Newburgh and took the attached photos. Took a close look inside the oil containment boom and could find no signs or smell of oil. aft, I heard that the owners had a salvage plan, I will keep my eye on it. 

To read more about this sinking ferry, click here.

Storm Drains Mitigate Pollution in Nyack

As the sampling season rapidly approaches, we're reminded of how much trash we pickup each time we're out on the river.  Trash often washes into the river during rainstorms from the streets and our communities through drains like the one below.

Nyack is replacing these traditional open-sided storm drains with these newer models which will prevent plastic trash from entering the river via storm drains.

Bravo and thank you Nyack!

Here's what they look like:

Hudson Valley residents can join cleanups in their own communities as part of the Riverkeeper Sweep on June 2. For more information, visit riverkeeper.org/sweep.

UPDATE: Retired Staten Island Ferry in Newburgh

Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 2:44 PM

To: John Lipscomb

Subject: Update

John,

At 1355 on Wednesday March 7, 2012 I took two friends to see the Retired Staten Island Ferry that is taking on water at SteelWays Shipyard in New Windsor, NY.  We went to the Newburgh Rowing Club location just north of the Ferry for the best perspective.  Immediately upon exiting the car we were hit with the strong odor of fuel oil.  Upon further inspection a large sheen was seen on the water between the rowing docks and the ferry.  This sheen is made all the more obvious as the wind was blowing 15-20 knots out of the SSE and the river was full of whitecaps, except where the oil was dampening the wave action.  

Regards,

BA

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NYS DEC Spill Response is in contact with the Coast Guard and the environmental clean up contractor on site. Currently, the salvage company is performing a dive survey to determine the best way to raise the vessel.

The area is surrounded by 1000 ft of boom to capture any residual oil/gas, just in case.

However, all petroleum products were removed from the vessel when it was retired.

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We just received this email from a citizen in Newburgh reporting that a retired Staten Island ferry is capsizing. We're waiting on more information.

From: BA
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 2:01 PM
To: John Lipscomb
Subject: Ferry

John,

    Attached are photos taken at 1335 Monday March 5th from Newburgh Rowing Docks.  Two small boats in the vicinity setting/tending oil containment boom. 

BA