WHAT’S THAT FLOATING OUT IN OUR WINTERY NEW YORK HARBOR?

New York Harbor vessel traffic in January consists of a steady stream of super container ships, fuel tankers, massive auto carriers from Scandinavia, a growing number of elegant cruise ships, and NYC green marine sanitation barges.  However, over the past six months, a variety of heavy lift construction crane ships supporting the local Empire Wind offshore project have been spotted.  A more detailed article is currently on the NYHC editing table to be posted later this week, but the impressive size and scope of these visitors are worthy of a quick post!

Pictured here is the GPO Grace anchored in New York Harbor.  It measures 225 meters in length, capable of transporting the 400 foot monopiles that support the offshore wind turbines.  It is contracted to Netherlands based Heerema Marine Contractors who is responsible for the 54 foundation and monopile installations in the wind farm lease area located south of Far Rockaway.  GPO Grace is presently anchored on site, but it should be mentioned that Empire Wind is observing strict adherence to the Federal and State mandates that prohibit heavy construction activity between the months of January to April when migratory ocean mammals pass through the New York Bight.