March 2001

Pier 63
"Public Access to and from the water"

by Jim Crowley

The New York Waterfront is lined with an endless supply of nautical attractions. But only a few places offer visitors a full menu of maritime delights that will satisfy their needs and interests. Pier 63, located just north of Chelsea Pier at 23rd St and 12th Ave, is one of those rare places where people can experience a New York attraction without that "touristy" feel. Curious visitors who want a unique taste of the waterfront will be drawn to the pier by the big red lightship docked on the north side. Once you step onto the pier and retreat from the bustle of the city your senses start to fill with an "ole salt" flavor that can't be found anywhere else in New York. First time visitor who simply wants to sit by the water and gaze at passing ships can't help but be exposed to a working pier complete with seasoned mariners and historic vessels. The patchwork of historic vessels that line the dock attracts visitors to explore their treasures and their friendly resident world adventurer Reid Stowe is happy to talk about his upcoming 1000-day offshore journey. For those interested in their own harbor adventure, professional kayaking and outrigger canoe lessons (yep, just like Hawaii 5-0) are available. Manhattan Kayak and N.Y. Outriggers offer on-water instruction for those who want to learn a new sport and enjoy the harbor from a different perspective.

The centerpiece of the pier is the Frying Pan, a historic lightship, owned by John Krevey, who owns and operates Pier 63. The lightship is free to the public to visit and available for private and corporate parties. Docked on the south side is another historic vessel, the John J. Harvey, a retired FDNY fireboat that served the NYC waterfront from 1931 - 1992. The John J. Harvey career as a working fireboat may be over but its colorful water display still dazzles spectators at harbor events. The working fireboat museum educates the public on fireboat history and the harbor, with regular sea voyages planned throughout the year and is available for private parties. A new arrival to the fleet at Pier 63 Maritime is an old 1925 Canadian Tugboat named Bertha. During the summer of 2001, this "ole" tug will become a floating cinema for the Tugboat Film Festival, sponsored by the Working Waterfront Association. This unique film festival will entertain pedestrians along the waterfront with short independent films as the Bertha stems the tide around Manhattan.

The main theme of Pier 63 Maritime is free public access to and from the water and the colorful tenants permanently docked at the pier are required to conduct free programs to the public as part of their lease. Each summer they take turns offering free Sunday events for the public. Additionally, during the summer months a free Classic Film Festival, sponsored by Chelsea Waterside Park, is hosted at the pier on Friday nights. The pier has a weekend concession stand operated by Captain Bob, who adds to the list of colorful characters surrounding the pier. Events at the pier vary with each season so calling ahead is a good idea. Anyone who loves the river, whether it's to enjoy a movie by the water, visit a historic vessel or just be around other "river rats" should visit Pier 63. I'm sure you will find something to satisfy the "ole salt" within us all. In future issues of Boating on the Hudson I will write more in-depth about the historic vessels and instructional classes at Pier 63.

Historical Note

Pier 63 is a 320ft Erie-Lackawanna freight train barge that use to carry freight cars across the river from New Jersey. The site of Basketball City (next to Pier 63) was the 1958 B&O Railroad Freight Terminal where barges docked and unloaded their cargo onto trucks for distribution across the city - some of the cargo crane lifts still remain. North of the pier (Pier 64) is a float bridge where freight cars rode onto connecting tracks to a train yard. John Krevey hopes to relocate to the floating bridge in 2 years when the lease to Pier 63 Maritime expires. I hope the tradition of this hidden treasure continues for all New Yorker to enjoy.

Boater and Instructional Information

Pier 63 offers a temporary community dock with free pick up and drop off (20min.) and a dinghy dock (2hours). For longer stays see Dockmaster John Doswell or call John Krevey 212- 989-9090. Other amenities at the dock include a free hand launch boat dock and free pump out facilities.

Pier 63 events & Frying Pan- 212- 989-9090
Manhattan Kayak - 212-924-1788
New York Outrigger - 212- 580-0442
John J. Harvey - info@fireboat.org or www.fireboat.org

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