Summer Boating on the Hudson Just Got Safer

Governor Cuomo wants to make boating on the Hudson River near the new Tappan Zee Bridge Project safer. Here is how that is happening:Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system to track construction vessels in the area of the New NY Bridge project. An interactive map showing vessel locations on the Hudson River is now available on the project website, NewNYBridge.com, for recreational and commercial boaters to get updated information on this very active construction zone. The GPS tracking system is just one of the new boater safety enhancements being instituted by the New York State Thruway Authority, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) and the United States Coast Guard as the summer boating season gets underway with the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

“With these new enhancements being put in place, boaters will be better protected, as will the construction crews working on the New New York Bridge,” Governor Cuomo said. “Every precaution we take on this active work zone now will not only help keep people safe, but will also keep the project on-schedule and ultimately provide drivers with a less-congested commute and a safer bridge to get where they need to go.”

The boater safety enhancements include:

• GPS tracking for TZC vessels and barges
• Interactive GPS webpage for recreational/commercial boaters
• Electronic geo-fence alarm system to monitor barge movement
• Enhanced mooring lines and inspection protocols for TZC barges
• Additional TZC deckhands and enhanced training program
• Proposed U.S. Coast Guard safety zone around mooring locations
• New lighted buoys and markers being installed
• 24-Hour TZC safety/security patrols
• Enhanced marine law enforcement patrols
• Extended U.S. Coast Guard Regulated Navigation Area (RNA)
• New signage announcing the RNA on river
• “Slow, No Wake Speed Zone” in RNA
• Access channel to be marked for Piermont boaters/marinas
• Boater Safety information being distributed to marinas, boat clubs, public launches
• New thermal imaging security camera system monitoring entire work zone

Information taken from a release dated 5/23 on Governor Cuomo's website.