Historic Fireboat John J. Harvey to Make Annual Blue Links Tour on Hudson River

by Ehezi

YONKERS, NY -- August 12, 2003 -- The retired New York City fireboat John J. Harvey will lead the "Blue Links" Tour of the Hudson River August 13-24, 2003. The goal of the tour is to demonstrate the tremendous value of having vessel landings along the River, and to identify places where new such landings ought to be made. Free trips for the public and tours of the boat are on offer (details below). A complete Tour Schedule is available online.

The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Save Our Ships New York are launching the "Blue Links" campaign to resuscitate and rebuild the waterfront infrastructure that once lined the water's edge. Hudson River communities exist *because* of the River, which connects towns and cities throughout New York. Sadly, most of the piers and their cleats, docks, bollards and fendering systems along the Hudson are long gone, robbing the river of its vital and historic function as a highway for people and goods.

Restoration and renewal of these basic links would unleash enormous potential for community development that embraces the river as its heart. As part of this campaign we are conducting a river-long reconnaissance to compile a comprehensive list of waterfront infrastructure improvements-from promenades to town docks and ferry and vessel landings-that we believe should be included in the upcoming Federal transportation bill, scheduled to be reauthorized later this year. The groups are developing a plan for waterfront rehabilitation as long as the River itself.

Why? In recent history we've been missing the boat when it comes to waterfront investments. New York has more excursion and ferryboat riders than any state in the nation. But while the last iteration of the federal transportation bill included over $100 million in funding for waterfront infrastructure, we fared quite poorly in bringing the federal funds home. Creating "Blue Links" is one way upstate and downstate New York can work together to draw this new investment here. This federal transportation legislation, revised and updated only once every six years, can and should be a catalyst for connecting our waterfront communities with their maritime heritage, new water-related tourism, economic development opportunities, and with the water itself.

** The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance works through education, grassroots organizing and media advocacy to include the public's voice and values in the decision-making that will determine the future of our waterfrontand waterways. More than 10,000 people participated in MWA programs last year, and more than 100,000 visit the online website.

** Save Our Ships New York is a New York State chartered organization dedicated to the protection, preservation and promotion of historic vessels in New York. NRHSS's principal focus is the North River (as the Lower Hudson is properly called), but we concern ourselves with all issues affecting historic vessels throughout the Hudson Valley.

Note: Note that public trips at each town are free and first come first served. Trips between towns are also free but require reservations that may be requested by e-mail from Fireboat Trips.

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