Working Harbor Day 05
Our fourth annual Working Harbor Day, on 21 May 2005, was again a big success with over 2,500 Hidden Harbor rides, entertainment by the East River Blues Band and singers Bibi Farber and Jessica Starr, as well as a great venue at Pier 63 Maritime. Generous publicity from Channel 13 helped drive the crowds. The weather was great. Again everyone asked "when are you going to do this again?" and the answer, of course, is next May. But this year we were able to start something that we've tried to do for two years now - additional trips during the summer. (see next story). This year's event was again made possible by the generous support of a large body of donors who are listed (click here).

Summer Hidden Harbor Tours®
This summer we were able to produce three additional Hidden Harbor Tours on Circle Line boats, with a fourth free tour aimed especially at low-income kids from around the city. Many thanks to Circle Line 42nd Street as well as American Stevedoring for generous support.

Hidden Harbor Tours®, Registered
It took a year, but now the name "Hidden harbor Tours®" is officially registered to us - no one else can use this name!

Working Harbor Committee, Incorporated

In addition, 2005 is the year that the Working Harbor Committee (having survived two name changes) is now a bone fide non-for-profit corporation. Up to now we have operated as a project of the North River Historic Ship Society, and we wish to thank them for their support these past 3 years. You may have noticed that, in the past, your membership checks were made out to North River Historic Ship Society - beginning now all checks can be written directly to the Working Harbor Committee. We now have a new Board of Directors (click here) which we expect will grow to about 15 in time. This is an exciting new development for the Working Harbor Committee. Click here for an announcement about our first "Annual Meeting" coming up in October.

New York Boat Show 06
Again in `06, we'll have a booth at the New York Boat Show, from 1-9 January. Again this year we'll have a larger exhibit, shared with the North River Historic Ship Society, MWA and the new National Lighthouse Museum. If you're in the area or are planning to attend the boat show again, please drop by
- we don't have the booth number yet but we'll be in the show directory under Working Harbor Committee.

A special opportunity for members: If you'd like to help staff the booth for a morning or afternoon, you'll be able to visit the show free for the other half of the day (by virtue of your exhibitor's pass.) This extends to actual booth staffers only - the passes are limited and need to be shared by all staff throughout the nine days - so this offer can't be extended beyond actual exhibit volunteers. If you're interested, call us at 212 757 1600 or indicate so on the Join Us page response form.

Fall "Usual Suspects" Reception
On Wednesday 16 November we'll once again host our annual "Usual Suspects" reception at the New York Yacht Club. The price is $100. Our guest speakers will be Kate Ascher, Executive Vice President of NYC EDC, Joan Davidson, former Commissioner of NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Richard Larrabee, Director of Port Commerce for PANYNJ. If you're interested in receiving an invitation, call John or Meg at 212 757 1600 - or just click here

New Staff
Meg who? Meg Black. She came on board to help with the May event and has now been hired as Program and Development Director.

Tugboat Races Off/On Again
Thanks to efforts of Jerry Roberts, Executive Director of the National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island and WHC Steering Committee member, the 13th annual tugboat races, formerly held at the Intrepid Sea*Air*Space Museum, were held this year off the shoreline of Staten Island, ending at Pier One near the ferry terminal. It was an exciting race with over 15 tugs steaming at full speed - plus nose-to-nose pushing and line-throwing contests. The winner was Lincoln Sea, followed by Stacy McAllister and Bruce A. McAllister. JoAnne Reinauer won the "best looking tug" category. Next year we'll let you know about this event in advance and, if there's interest, perhaps arrange for a special tour boat for spectators.