New York Tugboat Race Explained

The New York Tugboat Race is a contest for working tugboats held on the Hudson River every Fall on the Sunday before Labor day. It was founded in part by Captain Jerry Roberts, who also serves as its chief announcer.^[1] Boats race one nautical mile from 79th Street to Pier 84 at 44th Street in Manhattan. The race is the occasion for a dockside festival.[1] Events currently include nose-to-nose pushing competitions, a line toss competition, and best mascot/costume contests between the crews.^[2] After the award, the spectators of the race can compete in events that include a knot tying competition, an on land line toss competition and a spinach eating competition. The spinach eating competition is in honor of the Popeye the sailor cartoon character. Spectators can also pay to get a seat on a tug boat during the events.^[3]

Similar contests are held on the Detroit River^[4] and the St. Mary's River.^[5]

History

The Great North River Tug Boat Race and Competition, or as it is more commonly known the New York Tug Boat Race or the Hudson River Tugboat Race, was first held in 1991. The event put on by the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and headed by Captain Jerry Roberts. The original course started 79th Street Boat Basin and ended at Pier 86 or as it is also known the Intrepid Pier. The Intrepid Museum held the event for its first 13 years. Captain Jerry Roberts left the Intrepid Museum staff after the 2004 event.^[6]

• In 2005 the event was held by Captain Jerry Roberts himself with help from the National Light House Museum and The Working Harbor Committee (WHC). There was also a steering committee made up of Captain Jerry Roberts, Bert Reinauer of Reinauer Transport, John Doswell of (WHC), and Chris Roehrig of Roehrig Maritime. This event was held on Staten Island instead of its previous location near Manhattan. A barge was provided for the awards ceremony as well as the line tossing competition. For several reasons including lack of a facility for spectators to watch the event it was not held on Staten Island again. The event returned closer to its original location on the North River.^[7]
• In 2006 the location for the event was held at pier 63 Maritime. This location was superior to Staten Island for the fact that it had a good view for spectators. Unfortunately there were few places to tie the Tugboats. A barge was again provided for the line tossing competition and the awards ceremony. The barge also served as a place for tugs to tie up. The owner of pier 63 Maritime, John Krevey provided free food and drinks for the tugboat crew. However there were issues of the new location. The large amount of wake created by the event was deemed unsuitable by the neighboring Chelsea Piers. The lack of proper places for the tugboats to tie up to was also deemed a problem.^[8]
• In 2007 the event once again changed locations. The event would more closely follow to the original course, starting from the 79th Street Boat Basin but instead would end at Pier 84. The event itself was held at Pier 84, just south of Pier 86. It was chosen for both its large amount of room for tug boats to tie up to and large space for the spectators to watch. The large Pier is now used as a park which is perfect for the spectators due to its space and easily available food and bathroom. This location would become the permanent location for the event.^[9]
• In 2008 friendly competition for the spectators were added to the event. These include a knot tying competition, a line tossing competition on the pier and a spinach eating competition. There was also musical entertainment provided.^[10]

Sponsors, co-sponsors and contributors to the event have included Hudson River Park Trust, Friends of Hudson River Park, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, NYC Economic Development Corporation, Reinauer Transportation, McAllister Towing, Miller’s Tugs & Barge, Kirby Offshore Marine Metropolitan Marine Transportation, Bren Transportation, Vane Brothers, P.D. O’Hurleys, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, United States Coast Guard, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Raritan Riverkeeper, New York City Fire Department, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Allens Inc – Popeye Spinach, Whole Foods Market, South Street Seaport Museum, David Cunningham, architect, West 44th Street Block Association, Floating the Apple, Meg Black (WHC) Program Director, Capt. Steve Bendo, Capt. Maggie Flanagan, Nelson Chin, Mike Abegg, Lee Miller, Jean Preece.^[11]

Race results

2012

Tug	Company	Hp	Time	Trophy
Lincoln Sea	Kirby Offshore Marine	8,000	5:01	div A first
Meagan Ann	Donjon Marine	2,200	5:27	div B first
Weddell Sea	Kirby Offshore Marine	5,000	5:41	div A second
Maurania III	McAllister Towing	4,000	5:47	div A third
Quantico Creek	Vane Brothers	3,000	6:15	div A fourth
Freddie K. Miller	Miller’s Launch	2,000	6:37	div B second
Buchanan 12	Buchanan Marine	3,500	7:01	div A fifth
Little Toot	Private	700	7:15	div C first
Deborah Miller	Miller Long Island	2,060	7:19	div B third
Gage Paul Thornton	Thornton	1,000	8:14	div B third
Catherine C. Miller	Miller’s Launch	1.02	8:20	div C third
Buchanan 1	Buchanan Marine	2,200	8:54	div B fourth
Susan Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,500	8:56	div B fifth
Growler	U.S. Merchant Marine Academy	400	9:04	div D first
Vulcan III	Derrick Marine	500	9:15	div D second
Pegasus (1907)	Private	900	10:19	div C fourth
Thornton Brothers	Thornton	1,800	10:52	div B sixth
Lt. Michael P. Murphy	Private	180	12:10	div D third
Shawn Miller	Miller's Launch	600	12:18	div D fourth
The Bronx	Private	220	12:48	div D fifth
W.O. Decker	South Street Seaport Museum	285	n/a	Did Not Race

^[12]

2011!Tug!!Company!!Hp!!Time!!Trophy

Maurania III	McAllister Towing	4,000	5:09	div A first
Cornell	Lehigh Valley	1,800	5:15	div A second (tie)
Meagan Ann	Donjon Marine	2,000	5:15	div A second (tie)
Cheyenne	Donjon Marine	1,800	5:25	div A third
Atlantic	Donjon Marine	7,200	5:55	div A fourth
Catherine Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,200	6:23	div B first
Susan Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,500	6:36	div B second
Sea Wolf	Wolf Marine	1,400	6:49	div B third
Mary H	Bren Transportation	900	6:52	div B fourth
Vulcan	Derrick Marine	500	6:56	div C one
W. O. Decker	Seaport Museum	285	7:31	div C second
The Bronx	Robert & Lucy Apuzzo	220	7:40	div C third
Shawn Miller	Miller’s Launch	600	8:29	div C fourth
Lt. Michael Murphy	Scott Koen	180	8:39	div C fifth

^[13]

2010!Tug!!Company!!Hp!!Time!!Trophy

Maurania III	McAllister Towing	4,000	5:09	div A first
Cornell	Lehigh Valley	1,800	5:15	div A second (tie)
Meagan Ann	Donjon Marine	2,000	5:15	div A second (tie)
Cheyenne	Donjon Marine	1,800	5:25	div A third
Atlantic	Donjon Marine	7,200	5:55	div A fourth
Catherine Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,200	6:23	div B first
Susan Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,500	6:36	div B second
Sea Wolf	Wolf Marine	1,400	6:49	div B third
Mary H	Bren Transportation	900	6:52	div B fourth
Vulcan	Derrick Marine	500	6:56	div C one
W. O. Decker	Seaport Museum	285	7:31	div C second
The Bronx	Robert & Lucy Apuzzo	220	7:40	div C third
Shawn Miller	Miller’s Launch	600	8:29	div C fourth
Lt. Michael Murphy	Scott Koen	180	8:39	div C fifth

^[14]

2009!Tug!!Company!!Hp!!Time!!Trophy

Ellen McAllister	McAllister	3,200	6:17	div A first
Nathan Stewart	K-Sea	3,200	6:26	div A second
Cornell	Lehigh Valley	1,800	6:33	div B first
Meagan Ann	Donjon	2,200	6:40	div A third
Susan Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,500	7:57	div B second
Catherine Miller	Miller’s Launch	1,200	7:59	div B third
Pegasus	Metro Marine	1,900	8:22	div B
Urger	NYS Canal Corp	340	8:59	div C first
Growler	U.S. Merchant Marine Academy	400	9:01	div C second
Shawn Miller	Miller’s Launch	600	10:59	div C third
Lt. Michael Murphy	Scott Koen	180	11:42	div C
Gabby Miller	Miller’s Launch	400	n/a	Did not race

^[15]

See also

• Tugboats in New York City

References

• W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html

Wisloski, J. (2012, 11). Breaking News, New York News, Local Neighborhood News - DNAinfo.com New York. Hudson River Tugboat Race Makes Waves - DNAinfo.com New York.Retrieved April 21, 2013, from https://web.archive.org/web/20130609092801/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120902/hells-kitchen-clinton/great-hudson-tugboat-race-takes-waves

• U.O. (2011, 10). New York City Tours by Urban Oyster - New York City Walking Tours. Hudson River Tugboat Race Showcases Working Harbor - New York City Tours by Urban Oyster. Retrieved April 21, 2013, from http://www.urbanoyster.com/1/post/2011/09/hudson-river-tugboat-race-showcases-working-harbor.html

External links

• New York Tugboat Race

Notes and References

1. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
2. U.O. (2011, 10). New York City Tours by Urban Oyster - New York City Walking Tours. Hudson River Tugboat Race Showcases Working Harbor - New York City Tours by Urban Oyster. Retrieved April 21, 2013, from http://www.urbanoyster.com/1/post/2011/09/hudson-river-tugboat-race-showcases-working-harbor.html
3. Wisloski, J. (2012, 11). Breaking News, New York News, Local Neighborhood News - DNAinfo.com New York. Hudson River Tugboat Race Makes Waves - DNAinfo.com New York. Retrieved April 21, 2013, from Web site: Hudson River Tugboat Race Makes Waves - Hell's Kitchen & Clinton - DNAinfo.com New York . 2013-04-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130609092801/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120902/hells-kitchen-clinton/great-hudson-tugboat-race-takes-waves . 2013-06-09 .
4. http://www.tugrace.com Tug Race
5. http://www.ssm.thegreattugboatrace.ca The Great Tugboat Race
6. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
7. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
8. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
9. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
10. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
11. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
12. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
13. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
14. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html
15. W.H.C. Working Harbor: News. Tugboat Race: About the Event. Retrieved April 21, 1213, from http://workingharbor.com/tugrace_home.html