NYCkayaker captain exchange

[Nancy Brous]

hi erik-
if you can tell me how the HRWA may be of assistance in this i will try to
make it happen.
best,
nancy (brous)
metro region director
HRWA

<<Ahoy'all,

I've spoken with the owners and operators of the Circle Line and New York
Water Taxi about an exchange of captains -- kayakers in their wheelhouses
and bridges, and their captains in our kayaks, so we could understand the
limits and abilities of each others' craft. They were thrilled with the
idea. We figure the harbor would be safer with that direct comprehension of
issues of visibility, radio function (our handhelds are limited to a
somtimes modest line of sight), etc.

One cultural innovation I would like to see is a ship "relay" of kayaker
presence. Sometimes I've heard captains re-broadcast my announcents (of
crossings and course plans) to a wider area. That small courtesy is a
wonderful safety measure.

At the LIC Community Boathouse meeting last night, Warren Stevens suggested
that we open this opportunity to all boathouses in the harbor. We agreed,
and so we will present this to the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, much as
we did the invitation we secured from State Parks to discuss opening that
agency's NY Harbor shorelines to launches and landings. The MWA seems best
poised to carry this forward, including tugboat pilots (we've had friendly
contact with the Sandy Hook pilots) and other vessel captains.

If all goes well, boathouse captains will be receiving an invitation from
Carter/MWA. But Hudson River Watertrail Association could also play a good
role, or the Harbor Operations Committee.

Sound good?

Best regards,>>