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06-09-2021, 08:55
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Occasionally in Colorado. Generally live-aboard. The Caribbean from Trinidad up to Puerto Rico and The Bahamas. US East Coast, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Boat: Antares 44i
Posts: 810
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East River UN Security Zone
I need some local knowledge. I'm looking to transit the East River some time in the next several weeks from Long Island Sound to the Upper Bay. It appears that this can only be done when the UN Security Zone Area 2 is not closed and that it is closed during UN General Assemblies. I cannot find any specific info on closing dates for Area 2 this month, but do see the UN General Assembly is meeting starting September 14.
Do I understand this correctly? Is there some source of info on when Area 2 will be closed? If the UN General Assembly is meeting starting on 9/14 am I OK to plan transiting the East River on 9/13?
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06-09-2021, 11:15
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Occasionally in Colorado. Generally live-aboard. The Caribbean from Trinidad up to Puerto Rico and The Bahamas. US East Coast, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
Boat: Antares 44i
Posts: 810
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donnybrook
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I've looked at the current notice but don't find anything relevant there. I'll probably call the Coast Guard sector tomorrow.
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06-09-2021, 11:28
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 12,229
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Quote:
Originally Posted by dougweibel
I need some local knowledge. I'm looking to transit the East River some time in the next several weeks from Long Island Sound to the Upper Bay. It appears that this can only be done when the UN Security Zone Area 2 is not closed and that it is closed during UN General Assemblies. I cannot find any specific info on closing dates for Area 2 this month, but do see the UN General Assembly is meeting starting September 14.
Do I understand this correctly? Is there some source of info on when Area 2 will be closed? If the UN General Assembly is meeting starting on 9/14 am I OK to plan transiting the East River on 9/13?
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You are understanding it correctly. Plan your trip for when the General Assembly is not in session.
The security zone gets quite wide and closes off the river occasionally.
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageNam...trict®ion=1
Keep an eye on the latest files released and check the East river to see when it’s closed if at all during your planned transit.
The current may not show it but maybe the next one will.
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07-09-2021, 11:26
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New York, New York
Boat: Dufour Safari 27'
Posts: 1,930
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
I live in the city and have never had an issue with the river being closed, even when they are in session. This is NOT to say that they aren't out there and that they don't have a security zone. I just have never had a problem.
If I am running with the current, which is almost always the case, I just point out that I am unable to turn around and leave, given that I only have a ten horse diesel that is a number of decades old. They give me a look over and occasionally escort me through to make sure my 1973 sailboat isn't a heinous threat.
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07-09-2021, 12:38
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#6
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,307
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Came through once without checking and the were closing the river due to a speech at the UN by Obama. Our first clue was seeing blue lights at the end of every street, helicopters, F15s and a flock of USCG RIBs on the river.
Fortunately we started the trip early to beat the tide through Hell Gate and got through just before they shut down the river. They only closed the west side of Roosevelt Island so we could have made the east channel. However CAREFFUL!!!! The west channel has big bridges, the east channel has one that is opening but only 40' closed. Could be a problem with the 4-5 kt current behind you.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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07-09-2021, 13:32
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2018
Boat: 50ft Custom Fast Catamaran
Posts: 12,229
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Quote:
Originally Posted by skipmac
Came through once without checking and the were closing the river due to a speech at the UN by Obama. Our first clue was seeing blue lights at the end of every street, helicopters, F15s and a flock of USCG RIBs on the river.
Fortunately we started the trip early to beat the tide through Hell Gate and got through just before they shut down the river. They only closed the west side of Roosevelt Island so we could have made the east channel. However CAREFFUL!!!! The west channel has big bridges, the east channel has one that is opening but only 40' closed. Could be a problem with the 4-5 kt current behind you.
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This too.
I almost mentioned you can squeak by on the West side of the river (it’s two different channels) but knew about the issues on that side and didn’t want to encourage it. Getting caught in the large currents with a 40ft bridge waiting for it to open is a bit of a hazard. Engine failure or overheat from holding position against that current is bye-bye mast.
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07-09-2021, 14:22
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#8
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Senior Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: 29° 49.16’ N 82° 25.82’ W
Boat: Pearson 422
Posts: 16,307
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chotu
This too.
I almost mentioned you can squeak by on the West side of the river (it’s two different channels) but knew about the issues on that side and didn’t want to encourage it. Getting caught in the large currents with a 40ft bridge waiting for it to open is a bit of a hazard. Engine failure or overheat from holding position against that current is bye-bye mast.
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The Roosevelt Island Bridge on the east side channel is not to be taken lightly. Chris Buckley once took down the mast on his father's boat going the wrong side of Roosevelt Island.
__________________
The water is always bluer on the other side of the ocean.
Sometimes it's necessary to state the obvious for the benefit of the oblivious.
Rust is the poor man's Loctite.
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07-09-2021, 17:42
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: LI, NY,USA
Boat: 2010 Jeanneau SO 44i
Posts: 842
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
FDNY Special operations command is based on Rosevelt island,they have a clear view of the bridge, friends report several sailboats a year get caught on the queens side of Rosevelt island some can not out power the tide, and the unlucky have had there anchors skip and the ones that do not find something to tie a rope around on the queens side bulkheads have been demasted. The queens channel (east side) is not for sailboats please take my word on this.
The only time that they go full tilt shut down is when the President is in town, like on this 9/11 both Biden and Obama will be in NYC and there will be gridlock everywhere thanks to POTIS AND EX-POTIS, but I guess they gotta get that photo op, should make that Afghan thing disappear.
Sorry I will be morning my 60+ dead friends around there photo op.
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07-09-2021, 17:56
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Annapolis, MD
Boat: Gozzard, 44CC, 50'
Posts: 575
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the bridge from Queens to the Roosevelt Island, east side of the island, no longer opens and needs to be treated as a fixed 40 MHW clearance bridge.
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07-09-2021, 20:52
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: LI, NY,USA
Boat: 2010 Jeanneau SO 44i
Posts: 842
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Re: East River UN Security Zone
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrimshaw4
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the bridge from Queens to the Roosevelt Island, east side of the island, no longer opens and needs to be treated as a fixed 40 MHW clearance bridge.
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I think that is good advice.
Notes from Navionics:
Shall open on signal if at least two hour advance notice is given to the drawtender at the Grand Street/Avenue bridge, mile 3.1 across Newtown Creek (East Branch), the New York Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) Radio Hotline or NYCDOT Bridge Operations Office. In the event the drawtender is at Borden Avenue or Hunters Point Avenue bridges mile 1.2 and 1.4, respectively, across Dutch Kills, up to an additional half hour delay may be required.
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