Metedeconk River to New York City

Early departure to catch the outgoing tide, up at 5:00 underway at 5:30, Point Pleasant Canal runs a 4 knot current so even with the engine throttled back we proceeded at 9.2 knots. At 6:00 am there are lots of fishermen heading for the ocean, all of them faster than us. There is a railroad bridge just inside the inlet with a width of under 25 feet; boats cannot pass in this area. So just like a one way area in a construction zone boats firs proceed out bound and then inbound. The problem is no flagman and the bridge blocks the line of sight for boaters due to a curve in the channel. Just the other side of the bridge is a marina entrance and more boats join the parade. We were following a sport fisherman that had decided to go slow through the area and as we reached the end of the inlet he increased speed and we increased speed. I looked back to see 30 fishing boats behind us of every shape and size.

A small part of the fishing fleet

Once on the ocean the fishermen went in various directions but generally congregated in pods. We saw kayaks, center counsel open bow boats, and 50 ft. sport fishing boats all in the same area. In one spot the bait fish jumped and splashed about so much I thought it was a rapid current flow. On very interesting fisherman had a peddle powered boat with a diving flag, he was wearing a diving suit. As he slipped over the side he grabbed his spear fishing gun and disappeared.

By Sandy Hook we had passed the fishing fleet and began to see commercial traffic leaving the city. Lots of barges and tugs, many carrying petroleum products.

After the Verrazano Bridge

It was a hazy morning, but through the fog at Sandy hood we could begin to see the skyline of New York. First Coney Island, then the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, then Manhattan and the harbor. Busy place with tour boats, ferry boats, commercial traffic, water taxies, sightseeing boats, fast catamarans similar to the one on Lake Michigan. Then all the recreational traffic, sailboats, trawlers, anchored fisherman, and sailing school dingys.

We were headed for Liberty Harbor Marina, from the north side of the entrance we needed to cross through all the craziness to the other side. The marina is located in Jersey City and provided a two hour tie up free for lunch. We went to the marina, pumped the holding tank and then proceeded to a slip. Lunch was wonderful with linen covered table cloths and a great view of Manhattan. I had a roast leg of lamb sandwich and Doug chose the lobster sandwich. I could eat half of mine, Doug’s lunch came with potato chips that were potato slices earlier in the morning, 4” long 2” wide and very tasty.  All in all a fine meal, we left the slip for our anchorage behind the statue of liberty. A bit busy here in the bay but the only anchorage for 50 miles and slip fees here is $4 per foot per night, we decided to rock and roll a bit.

Spoke with Jim Abele my sailing buddy from Milwaukee and he is coming out on the Amtrak train leaving tonight and will arrive tomorrow about 5:00 pm. The Amtrak Lake Shore Limited route from Chicago runs across Indiana, to Toledo close to Lake Erie, to Erie, PA, Buffalo, NY and then follows the Erie Canal to Albany and down the Hudson to NYC. This will be our primary method for return travel the balance of the trip. The train takes a bit longer but there is a marina about 10 blocks from the train station, very easy.

Tonight anchored behind the Statue of Liberty is very special and I expect the city lights will be spectacular. The best sight is the new World Trade Center building now towering over the city and the Freedom Tower next to it. Both are under construction and there are lots of stories about the building process and the connection to the survivor families.

The New Towers Under Construction