NYCkayaker 5 boro and the USCG

[jeff folmsbee]

Ralph, Erik and others,

I think Ralph's suggestion to attend the passenger sub-vessel
committee meeting is an excellent one.

The next Passenger Vessel Subcommittee meeting will be held Thursday
13 Sept at the Coast Guard Battery Building (next to SIF Whitehall
terminal), second floor conference room, starting at 1000 (full email
from LCDR McBrady pasted below at end of trail).

A few of us at the Hudson River Paddlers Guild have been attending
many of these meetings, mostly in the context of establishing kayak
crossing buoys at the New York Waterway 32nd St. terminal, where there
had been a number of unpleasant encounters early last season, picking
up from the great work Ralph and others spearheaded a number of years
ago.  (The buoy project is now in the hands of Jim McGill, Marine
Safety Director at the Trust, who is facing budgetary delays with
higher-ups at the Trust).

Getting some face time with these folk is an excellent way to improve
communication & demonstrate how kayakers are responsible and highly
aware of the safety issues associated with their outings. (It wouldn't
surprise me if, pound for pound, experienced kayakers carry more
safety equipment than ferries or the coast guard!)

I think it would be great investment in future relations if a few
leaders from the kayak community, such as Erik and Tim Gamble, could
attend the meeting, to offer a post mortem on the 5 borough crossing
and open up a general discussion demonstrating how such outings need
not be over-regulated by the CG.

Thoughts?

best,
Jeff Folmsbee
Hudson River Paddlers Guild


On 9/6/07, Ralph Diaz <ralphdiaz at optonline.net> wrote:
> I have reading the email traffic regarding this wonderful, well-planned
> event and am dismayed to see the obstacles being created.  I really feel for
> you, Erik, and all of you who have responsibly worked toward making it a
> reality.
>
> All this goes to show that the human-powered boating community needs to be
> talking with the USCG all the time, not just when it comes to an event.
>
> I am wondering if the subject of this event came up at one of the regular
> Harbor Committee monthly meetings in which commercial interests (ferries,
> tugboats, shipping facilities, port facilities) regularly meet with the
> USCG.  At one time, we were represented at those meetings either
> individually or when we had the Human Powered Boating Group in place.  The
> subject of small craft in the operating, particularly kayaks and outriggers,
> would regularly come up.  When it did, we were in a position to clarify
> things and nip potential restrictions in the bud.  I think even just our
> presence helped keep some nonsense issues off the agenda.
>
> The monthly meetings were a good forum for informal talks with upper, middle
> and lower levels of the USCG; just seeing us there helped them to realize
> that we were responsible and savvy people and not just some crazies with no
> sense of safety.  They could see that we understood that the harbor waters
> have multiple users and we all needed to live together on them for the
> safety of all concerned.
>
> The barn door unfortunately has now swung open at this point and we will
> just have to work a way of dealing with the USCG jitters and misconceptions
> that have poured out.  But let this be a lesson: get organized again into
> some sort of body that takes in the full array of who we are (kayakers,
> outriggers, paddling outfitters/shops); find out when the meetings are; and
> make certain to be regularly represented there.
>
> Bear in minde that the growth of paddling in the area is a sword that cuts
> two ways.  On the one hand, the larger number of users has the potential of
> drawing the sharp edge of USCG attention.  On the other hand, we are a large
> constituency with some political clout and this can help cut through red
> tape and make certain we are heard to clear up misconceptions.
>
> Hope it all works out,
>
> ralph diaz

EMAIL FROM MCBRADY:

> Good Afternoon Everyone,

Hope everyone's summer has been enjoyable so far and you have relaxing
 plans for the Labor Day Weekend finale.

Our next Passenger Vessel Subcommittee meeting will be held Thursday 13
  Sep at the Coast Guard Battery Building (next to SIF Whitehall
 terminal, same place as last meeting), second floor conference room, starting
 at 1000.

The agenda for the meeting will be sent out next week but topics will
 include an update on maritime evacuation planning efforts, details on
 future ferry landing construction activities, and information on this
 year's U.N. General Assembly East River closures, among other things.

Hope to see you there.


regards,

LCDR Mike McBrady
Sector New York
Waterways Management
work: 718 354 2353
cell: 347 682 0518
fax: 718 354 4190
mike.t.mcbrady at uscg.mil


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