New York Tugboat Race

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

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]

Contents

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

History

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]

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

2012
TugCompanyHpTimeTrophy
Lincoln SeaKirby Offshore Marine8,0005:01div A first
Meagan AnnDonjon Marine2,2005:27div B first
Weddell SeaKirby Offshore Marine5,0005:41div A second
Maurania IIIMcAllister Towing4,0005:47div A third
Quantico CreekVane Brothers3,0006:15div A fourth
Freddie K. MillerMiller’s Launch2,0006:37div B second
Buchanan 12Buchanan Marine3,5007:01div A fifth
Little TootPrivate7007:15div C first
Deborah MillerMiller Long Island2,0607:19div B third
Gage Paul ThorntonThornton1,0008:14div B third
Catherine C. MillerMiller’s Launch1.028:20div C third
Buchanan 1Buchanan Marine2,2008:54div B fourth
Susan MillerMiller’s Launch1,5008:56div B fifth
GrowlerU.S. Merchant Marine Academy4009:04div D first
Vulcan IIIDerrick Marine5009:15div D second
Pegasus (1907)Private90010:19div C fourth
Thornton BrothersThornton1,80010:52div B sixth
Lt. Michael P. MurphyPrivate18012:10div D third
Shawn MillerMiller's Launch60012:18div D fourth
The BronxPrivate22012:48div D fifth
W.O. DeckerSouth Street Seaport Museum285n/aDid Not Race

[12]

2011
TugCompanyHpTimeTrophy
Maurania IIIMcAllister Towing4,0005:09div A first
CornellLehigh Valley1,8005:15div A second (tie)
Meagan AnnDonjon Marine2,0005:15div A second (tie)
CheyenneDonjon Marine1,8005:25div A third
AtlanticDonjon Marine7,2005:55div A fourth
Catherine MillerMiller’s Launch1,2006:23div B first
Susan MillerMiller’s Launch1,5006:36div B second
Sea WolfWolf Marine1,4006:49div B third
Mary HBren Transportation9006:52div B fourth
VulcanDerrick Marine5006:56div C one
W. O. DeckerSeaport Museum2857:31div C second
The BronxRobert & Lucy Apuzzo2207:40div C third
Shawn MillerMiller’s Launch6008:29div C fourth
Lt. Michael MurphyScott Koen1808:39div C fifth

[13]

2010
TugCompanyHpTimeTrophy
Maurania IIIMcAllister Towing4,0005:09div A first
CornellLehigh Valley1,8005:15div A second (tie)
Meagan AnnDonjon Marine2,0005:15div A second (tie)
CheyenneDonjon Marine1,8005:25div A third
AtlanticDonjon Marine7,2005:55div A fourth
Catherine MillerMiller’s Launch1,2006:23div B first
Susan MillerMiller’s Launch1,5006:36div B second
Sea WolfWolf Marine1,4006:49div B third
Mary HBren Transportation9006:52div B fourth
VulcanDerrick Marine5006:56div C one
W. O. DeckerSeaport Museum2857:31div C second
The BronxRobert & Lucy Apuzzo2207:40div C third
Shawn MillerMiller’s Launch6008:29div C fourth
Lt. Michael MurphyScott Koen1808:39div C fifth

[14]

2009
TugCompanyHpTimeTrophy
Ellen McAllisterMcAllister3,2006:17div A first
Nathan StewartK-Sea3,2006:26div A second
CornellLehigh Valley1,8006:33div B first
Meagan AnnDonjon2,2006:40div A third
Susan MillerMiller’s Launch1,5007:57div B second
Catherine MillerMiller’s Launch1,2007:59div B third
PegasusMetro Marine1,9008:22div B
UrgerNYS Canal Corp3408:59div C first
GrowlerU.S. Merchant Marine Academy4009:01div C second
Shawn MillerMiller’s Launch60010:59div C third
Lt. Michael MurphyScott Koen18011:42div C
Gabby MillerMiller’s Launch400n/aDid not race

[15]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

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  4. Tug Race (Detroit River)
  5. The Great Tugboat Race (St. Mary's River)
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