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April 2017
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A
t our annual Hudson River Marine
Trades Association Christmas dinner
on December 13, 2016 there was an
eye opening individual present, who
by pure circumstance gave a realistic,
down to earth perspective of what it is
like to be on the Hudson River seven
days a week working with the Hudson
River Pilots. His name is Captain Joe
Thomas, owner of Sea Tow Mid-
Hudson and he patrols the Hudson
River from Newburgh to Troy.
Captain Thomas works closely with
the Hudson River Pilots’ Association
as operator of the pilot boat located
at Norrie State Park. This pilot launch,
the Sen. John E. Flynn, is responsible
for changing out ship pilots coming
upriver from Yonkers or down river
from one of the marine terminals.
This pilot change is done as a safety
precaution to ensure that a well rested
pilot is in charge of the navigation of
the vessel. The Norrie Point pilot boat
also serves Hyde Park Anchorage,
where ocean-going vessels regularly
anchor awaiting favorable conditions
and dock availability upriver. Hyde
Park is the only Federal anchorage in
the 109 nautical mile voyage between
Yonkers and the Port of Albany. The
Hudson River Pilots’ Association is a
small group of mariners responsible
for safe passage of all commercial
ships transiting the Hudson River.
They board northbound vessels at the
Yonkers pilot station via the Yonkers
pilot boat, Trenton. The Hudson River
pilot climbs up the side of the ship
while it is underway, walks up to the
bridge of the ship and relieves the
Sandy Hook Pilot that boarded at
A COMMON
SENSE APPROACH