Coast Guard releases Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment Report

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment New York Office: (212) 514-4291 After Hours: (917) 703-0983 PA Detachment New York online newsroom

Coast Guard releases Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment Report

NEW YORK -- The Coast Guard made public the Hudson River Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA) report today from the workshops held in Poughkeepsie and Albany in November last year.

The PAWSA workshops were held in order to provide stakeholders an opportunity to assist the Coast Guard in understanding navigation safety and environmental concerns on the Hudson River. This report is a starting point for continuing dialogue with the Hudson River stakeholder community.

The most significant PAWSA workshops recommendations were:

- To create a Hudson River Safety Committee (HRSC);

- To increase recreational boating safety information; and

- To clarify and remove ambiguity from current regulations.

The HRSC will provide a forum for relevant stakeholders to address concerns identified by the PAWSA with non-regulatory action, collaboration, and coordination. Although still in development, the HRSC has already held three meetings with successful outcomes and is bringing diverse stakeholders together to discuss safety and environmental interests pertinent to Hudson River waterway users and communities.

The Coast Guard plans to continue boating safety education efforts, to include coordination with State and local agencies. At the request of PAWSA participants, the Coast Guard plans to increase patrol presence on the Hudson River.

Through the PAWSA, the Coast Guard identified ambiguity in existing Hudson River anchorage regulations. The Coast Guard is currently reviewing options to address this issue.

 

"We will take full advantage of the stakeholder partnerships gained through the two PAWSA workshops, and work with the HRSC to discuss how to best reduce risk, and improve the safety and security of the Hudson River," said Rear Admiral Steven Poulin, First Coast Guard District Commander.

The full report under "Hudson River, New York" can be found here: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=pawsaFinalReports.

 

 

-USCG-