NY TUGMASTER'S WEBLOG

A.I.S. Changes

captbbrucato — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:06:12 +0000

In spite of the many things that drive us to distraction when it comes to USCG policy letters sometimes the boys get it right. There was a small hitch in the A.I.S. regulations that proscribed tugs with tows ahead or alongside from indicating that distinction via their A.I.S. transponders. They were strictly limited to either being a light tug or towing in excess of 200 meters. Now the reality of A.T.B.s and hip tows have been recognized. The new code “22″ is for vessels pushing ahead and A.T.B.s. Up to now we (the A.T.B.fleet) had been broadcasting true “length overall” when underway and in due course received a letter telling us to cease and desist, well now we’re legal. Read on;

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/AIS/USCG_AIS_Data_Encoding_Guide-120104_2.pdf

2011 in review

captbbrucato — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:30:19 +0000

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 23,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

Happy Thanksgiving

captbbrucato — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:27:25 +0000

Like many us I am working the holiday this year. It’s fortunate that the weather has cooperated and served up a crystal clear early morning and provided us with a sunny transit in Delaware Bay’s upper reaches and the C&D Canal’s meander. Nothing in particular stands out about the trip, it was just a picture perfect ride. I couldn’t not take the video.

My crew and I wish you all a healthy, happy holiday season. Wherever you may be spending it, enjoy.

Boston Harbor; The Chelsea Creek Inbound Transit

captbbrucato — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:42:15 +0000

Daylight and clear weather, the perfect combination for making a transit of Chelsea Creek in the last days of autumn. The remains of the old bridge at Chelsea Street are still an issue, very narrow and not yet gone. When the removal of the old bridge’s bones is completed, this will be a cakewalk. But for now, the Chief Mate gracefully completed an uneventful and slick passage of this tight and challenging draw. It was a pleasure to watch, maybe you’ll think so too..

Lady Liberty Celebrates 125 years, and nobody came.

captbbrucato — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:26:18 +0000

Kinda sad really. The quintessential American icon got little if any press attention. No big parade of tall ships, no speeches of note. Just a beautiful display (presumably put on by the Grucci family, I’m not sure if it was their work).

The one thing that matters (to me anyway), I was there. 25 years ago I was there for her 100th. Doesn’t seem like it, but alas it’s true. Only difference was then I was towing the fireworks and got THE front row seat. Even better, my family was aboard for the night’s events and we won’t ever look at fireworks the same way.

I submit this little bit of video taken from a vantage afforded by my spot in Bay Ridge Anchorage that night and a new cell phone that shoots amazing video. (check out the difference in quality starting at marker 00:00:29)

Happy Birthday Lady Liberty, it was a grand.

A little bit of the Port Everglades trip

captbbrucato — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:13:39 +0000