August, 2005 • MarineNews 11
NEWS
Capt. Jerry Roberts, master architect of the Intrepid
Tug Challenge of the past thirteen years, has announced
plans to bring the Labor Day event to the National Light-
house Museium at St. George, Staten Island, where he
recently signed-on as executive director. "We'd have pre-
ferred announcing this earlier," said Capt. Roberts, "but
only once it was absolutely, completely a closed issue at
the Intrepid did we feel at liberty to proceed."
At presstime, Capt. Roberts expressed hope the event
could be held at the Lighthouse Museum's pier on the
traditional Labor Day date. "There's an enormous
amount to be done, and only a short time.
We'd have to ask supporting tug companies
how they'd feel if the event were held off
until a week or two later. I think the main
thing is to have an event this year. Best of
all on Labor Day, but regardless, this year."
The City's Economic Development Cor-
poration, the Lighthouse Museum's land-
lord, has forwarded a list of issues it would
want to address, "mostly procedural things
that the EDC needs to know, such as insur-
ance or damage issues regarding the pier."
Capt. Roberts described an offer of assis-
tance from Staten Island Borough Hall to
help expedite approvals.
CR Towing of Staten Island has spear-
headed industry participation in the relocat-
ed event. Within two days of Capt. Roberts'
announcement support had been voiced
from as far as Portland, ME, and Waterford
N.Y., where the New York State DOT has
committed its tug Urger to a New York
appearance. K-Sea's Capt. Rick Falcinelli
expected his company would send its usual
behemoths to "kick butt,." and would also
probably help underwrite the barbecue as
before.
"The Pier 63 people were beautiful," said
Capt. Roberts, "offering their facility if we
need it. It's not out of the question, but I'm
mindful of the vessels like the Frying Pan and the Har-
vey that tie-up there."
The New York tug races could be a socko debut for the
Lighthouse Museum's facilities. Capt. Roberts needs to
assemble much of the support formerly provided by the
Intrepid museum, such as security, deck personnel, and
so forth, and invites everyone with the skills, the time
and inclination to sign-on.. Things should be happening
fast when you read this, so Capt. Roberts suggests con-
sulting the Museum website for the latest updates:
www.lighthousemuseum.org. — Don Sutherland
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Circle 206 on Reader Service Card
Roberts: NY Tug Races
Back on ... Probably
Capt. Jerry Roberts (L) presides over the tattoo competition during the 2003 tug races. Tattoo must be on a part of the anatomy "that can
be shown in public." (Don Sutherland)
Circle 219 on Reader Service Card
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