MauiPunter
Will sail for food
Not sure how this happened? Maybe a wrong turn and current was too much to overcome? Latest news is boat became disabled and drifted. This is next to Rosevelt Island.
Sailboat gets caught under bridge in NYC
- Thread starter MauiPunter
- Start date
slug zitski
Super Anarchist
Perhaps engine failure and the current swept the boat into the bridge
Talchotali
Capt. Marvel's Wise Friend
This is why we can't have nice things...
sailor-cfn
Member
- 252
- 76
Happens about once a year.
If you look at a chart it is obvious that there is a bridge there (which, when closed only has a 40 foot clearance) - but if you're from the area, you likely don't know about this bridge (as it isn't visible really from anywhere) and over confidently assume you don't need to look at the chart. The first I heard of it was when I bought my boat in Port Washington and planned the delivery through the East River, and I'd lived in the area my whole life!
The current there can hit 5+ knots (maybe more): if your closing speed is 12 knots, and you don't notice it right away (as you don't know its there, you aren't really looking for it), you have a very small window to turn around.
If you look at a chart it is obvious that there is a bridge there (which, when closed only has a 40 foot clearance) - but if you're from the area, you likely don't know about this bridge (as it isn't visible really from anywhere) and over confidently assume you don't need to look at the chart. The first I heard of it was when I bought my boat in Port Washington and planned the delivery through the East River, and I'd lived in the area my whole life!
The current there can hit 5+ knots (maybe more): if your closing speed is 12 knots, and you don't notice it right away (as you don't know its there, you aren't really looking for it), you have a very small window to turn around.
Snaggletooth
SA's Morrelle Compasse
- 35,752
- 6,435
wiche bridge ist that?
That is not exactly a place you can anchor. The current runs at about 6 knots, and the bottom is scoured to bare rock.
People talk about Hellgate, but the current alongside Roosevelt Island, not far from Hellgate, is worse.
I've seen 6' (2m) standing waves there, and my 34' powerboat with 420 hp was only making about 4 kt over the bottom at a throttle setting that normally gives me 10 kt+ over the bottom.
It looks like this boat wasn't even close to clearing the bridge, whose clearance is marked on the chart.
Steam Flyer
Sophisticated Yet Humble
Not sure an anchor would help there, that current is strong and the bottom is rocky.
It's not a good place to fuck around and find out. Sounds like this vessel & owner/skipper got off lightly
It's not a good place to fuck around and find out. Sounds like this vessel & owner/skipper got off lightly
Bump-n-Grind
Get off my lawn.
he obviously didn't have the new anchor rode app ....
billy backstay
Backstay, never bought a suit, never went to Vegas
Looks like a lift bridge to allow taller boats, but it appears that tall mast would probably be too much for even the fully lifted span??
billy backstay
Backstay, never bought a suit, never went to Vegas
sailor-cfn
Member
- 252
- 76
Clearance is 40 feet when down, and 99 feet when up.
You need to give notice at least two hours prior to the requested opening.
MauiPunter
Will sail for food
- Thread starter
- #13
That is the word on the street.
MauiPunter
Will sail for food
- Thread starter
- #14
I am amazed the rig is still standing. He definitely got off easy.
Always check the charts before you go somewhere new. Coast Pilot too. Usually can also get some good local info from other sailors where ever you stop along the way. That bridge has been there for a very long time, and those currents are also well known. With the typical sailboat auxiliary engine, you don't want to enter the upstream side of that channel without already knowing that the bridge is raised. There is no turning around in that current without a lot of horsepower.
Virgulino Ferreira
Super Anarchist
Interactive Google Bow View:
redboat
Super Anarchist
This is between Roosevelt Island and Queens? Can't say I've ever tried to transit that side, especially with a sailboat. More than enough vertical clearance on the western side of Roosevelt Island.
mikewof
mikewof
- 45,868
- 1,249
Exactly, this is Operator Error ... he had that big beautiful transit on the Manhattan-Roosevelt Island side and instead chose the chute between the island and Queens? I even avoided that with my kayaks, to avoid having anything fall on my head from that bridge.
But even so, that boat looks big enough to motor away even at the full strength of the tide there ... maybe he didn't know he was on the Queens side and assumed he was looking at the 59th Street Bridge which has enough clearance?
Sail4beer
Starboard!
So what exactly did fall on your head?
