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]

The tugboats line-up as they prepare for the 2018 New York Tugboat Race
Following the race, the tugboats engage in a pushing competition

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

History

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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

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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

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  • Tugboats in New York City

References

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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

  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 "Hudson River Tugboat Race Makes Waves - Hell's Kitchen & Clinton - DNAinfo.com New York". Archived from the original on 2013-06-09. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  4. ^ Tug Race (Detroit River)
  5. ^ The Great Tugboat Race (St. Mary's River)
  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
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