At 7:15AM, moments after sunrise, I drove across the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge and spotted two northbound units (tug pushing a loaded oil barge) south of the bridge and a southbound tug pulling an empty barge north of the bridge. I recrossed the bridge, drove down to the river and at 7:36 photographed the Zachery Reinauer breaks ice northbound. It was 4 degrees,
The Zachery and her barge, heavily laden with oil continues breaking through the ice. Note the oil tanks and Rondout II Lighthouse in the distance at Kingston Point
The dawn was so cold that my exposed hands could barely operate the camera controls.
Zachery backlit by the rising sun
At 7:46 the Zachery steams toward the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. VHF broadcasts between her captain and that of the Davis Sea, which followed close behind, indicated that the Atlantic Service was stuck in the ice to the north of the bridge. The tugs would have to get around the Atlantic Service.
Immediately after photographing the Zachery I turned my camera to the Davis Sea approaching close behind at 7:48.
Upon radioing the crew to let them know I was photographing them, a mate was dispatched outside the wheelhouse door.
Where's your coat? I later learned that this is the engineer.
The Davis Sea making her was behind the Zachery toward the bridge with two crewmembers outside the wheelhouse door.
As the Davis Sea continued north in the ice broken by the Zachery, an official sounding radio broadcast indicated that the Coast Guard Cutter Penobscot Bay was dispatched to free the Atlantic Service.
Here comes Penobscot Bay in the distance at 7:57. She had been berthed at Rhinecliff overnight.
Penobscot Bay approaches
Penobscot Bay framed by the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge.
Penobscot Bay making good time to help the Atlantic Service.
At 8AM Penobscot Bay (r) is northbound to free Atlantic Service (l). Smaller cutter Line is just to the left of the Service. The Zachery and Davis are in between. The captains of these vessels engaged in quite a discussion about how they would pass the Service.
Five boats in one photo. Left to right: Atlantic Service, Line, Zachery Reinauer, Davis Sea, and Penobscot Bay. The water tank at Tivoli rises above the treeline in distance.
At 8:16 Penobscot Bay nears Atlantic Service (center) and Line leaves the scene and races southbound. The Zachery and Davis have passed the Atlantic Service and make their way toward Turkey Point.
Line approaches my position as she heads back southbound as the Penobscot Bay renders assistance
Line moving swiftly through the ice.
Line has just passed under the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge at 8:20.
Line
Line, back lit and framed by the bridge.
Line's stern as she continued southbound
Finally, at 8:25, Atlantic Service is freed and southbound with her empty oil barge.
Atlantic Service
Atlantic Service southbound toward Kingston Point
At 8:33 Atlantic Service and her barge backlit
At 11AM the Zachery makes Catskill Point
Zachery Reinauer
Cross lit Zachery
Zachery and her barge approach the Rip Van Winkle Bridge
At 11:05 Zachery is on her way around Rogers Island toward Hudson
11:07 Davis Sea passes Dutchman's Landing Park, just north of Catskill Point. Hudson River School of Art painter Frederic Church's home Olana stands on the ridge.
Davis Sea making her way toward the Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Davis Sea framed by the bridge
I arrive at the Hudson waterfront at 11:45 to find the Norwegian Sea southbound in the narrow channel between the eastern shore and Middle Ground Flats, a dredge spoil island.
Norwegian Sea's raised pilot house dteail
Norwegian Sea cabins close up
Norwegian Sea southbound from Hudson with the Hudson Athens Lighthouse on the right and Catsill Mountains in distance. Note the northbound and Davis Sea at left
11:53 Left to right: Zachery Reinauer, Davis Sea, Norwegian Sea
11;56 Zachery (r) approaches Hudson with Davis Sea in close pursuit. Norwegian Sea (r) is bound for Catskill.
11:59 Zachery passes Hudson Athens Light. Davis Sea is running in the her wake of broken ice.
At noon Zachery breaks ice at Hudson. The Hudson Athens Lighthouse and Catskills add to the composition. I am not sure why the spot light is on but it makes a nice effect.
Zachery at the southern tip of Middle Ground Flats with the snow capped Catskills rising in the distance.
Zachery close up
12:03 Davis Sea approaches. Norwegian Sea visible in the distance begins to round Rogers Island. Note the remnant brick chimney (visible just above the barge) once part of an icehouse rising above the opposite shore at the Cohotate Preserve.
Davis Sea and Hudson Athens Lighthouse.
Davis Sea, Hudson Athens Lighthouse, and Catskill Mountains
Davis Sea leaves approaches Hudson
Davis Sea
Davis Sea at Middle Ground Flats
After lunch, at 1:23, I thought I'd ride by the waterfront one last time. Here's the Justine McAllister towing an empty oil barge on a short wire. This was the first time I'd seen her with her wheelhouse lowered.
Justine
Justine and barge approach Hudson Athens Lighthouse
1:28 Justine southbound
