Tidal Power — Trials in East River on New Recyclable Blade Design

One of the concerns with wind and tidal energy installations is that the turbine blades are built from materials that are not easily recyclable. As the blades wear out with use, they could create a significant disposal problem. For the … Continue reading

Update: Captain Error and Poor Bridge Design Caused Seastreak Wall Street Ferry Collision

On January 9, 2013, we posted about the Seastreak Wall Street catamaran ferry, which slammed into a loading barge at Pier 11 in New York City’s East River in Lower Manhattan at 12 knots, injuring 80 of the 331 passengers and crew.  The … Continue reading

At Least 50 Injured as Seastreak Commuter Ferry Slams East River Dock in Lower Manhattan

This morning around 8:45 local time, a Seastreak catamaran ferry carrying approximately 300 commuters slammed into a loading barge at Pier 11 in New York City’s East River, in Lower Manhattan, injuring at least 50 passengers. At least one was reported to be in … Continue reading

New York’s South Street Seaport Museum – the Good and Really, Really Bad News

The area around the South Street Seaport on the East River in lower Manhattan was particularly hard hit by the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy.  The rising water reached the first floor eaves, devastating homes and businesses. The only good news was that the seven historic vessels at … Continue reading

NYC’s East River Water Turbine Energy Licence Awarded to Verdant Power

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued its first license for a tidal energy project to Verdant Power.  The Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project is located in New York’s East River just west of Roosevelt Island. Since 2006, Verdant … Continue reading

The General Slocum Tragedy

One hundred and six years ago today, June 15th, 1904, the  Paddle Steamer General Slocum caught fire in the East River and burned killing an estimated 1,021 of the 1,342 people on board.  The steamer was carrying members of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church … Continue reading