Community Corner

As New Bridge Construction Begins, Boaters Must Practice Defensive Driving

With permanent piles for the new Tappan Zee Bridge now going in, navigating the Hudson is getting increasingly more challenging.

There’s a very necessary and informative forum on Hudson River Boating Safety Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Tarrytown Village Hall at One Depot Plaza. 

Bridge officials in their latest weekly press release advised mariners to exercise extreme caution where the new piles are going in – “in the vicinity of the side channels under the existing bridge.”

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“New temporary navigational lights have been installed to further define the 600’ navigation channel under the main span. Both temporary and permanent piles are illuminated at night.”

The U.S. Coast Guard recently issued revised safety information, establishing a “Regulated Navigation Area” from 300 yards north of the bridge to 200 yards south:

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“All boaters are advised to use the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area. If necessary, the Coast Guard in the future may temporarily prohibit all vessel traffic in the RNA for safety purposes.”

More boating safety information can be found on the NewNYBridge website here, including exact lighting regulations and approved mooring locations.

And for a previous Patch article on the difficulties of navigating the waters at night, click here.

For the story of this summer’s tragic death of two boaters who crashed against a barge, click here.


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