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Meet the Fleet

The Half Moon is the lead heritage vessel of the River Day flotilla, but there's far more to the festivities than just our ship. To learn more about the other notable vessels joining us on the journey, click on an icon below or simply scroll down.

Click on each vessel's portrait to visit its official web site and learn even more. (External links.)

Heritage Vessels

These vessels are renowned emissaries for the long and vibrant history of New York's Hudson River Valley.

The Replica Ship Half Moon

Replica Ship Half Moon

First launched in 1989 and still going strong, the Half Moon is a 85 ft. replica of the Dutch VOC jaght Halve Maen, which in 1609 charted the North American East Coast from Chesapeake Bay to modern New York Harbor and ventured 160 miles up the river now named for the ship's captain, Henry Hudson. These explorations led to the founding of the Dutch New Netherland colony and, eventually, New York as we know it. Today, operated by the New Netherland Museum, the Replica Ship Half Moon's mission is to preserve the historic legacy of New Netherland and to promote scientific and environmental education through our Voyage of Discovery, Dockside Discovery, and Classroom Discovery programs.

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater was launched in 1969 by the non-profit organization of the same name. Founded by famed musician and environmental activist Pete Seeger, the Clearwater has championed the cause of environmental protection and science-based environmental education on the Hudson River ever since. The Clearwater itself is a 105 ft. replica of the sloops which transported cargo up and down the Hudson River in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Clearwater was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, and today continues its program of taking students out on the Hudson for educational day trips.

Tug Governor Cleveland

Tug Governor Cleveland

The New York State Department of Public Works first acquired the tugboat Governor Cleveland in 1927 to use as an icebreaker on the New York Canal System. Originally steam powered, it has since been converted to diesel and continues to operate as a maintenance vessel along New York waterways to this day.

Historic FIreboat John J Harvey

Historic Fireboat John J Harvey

The 130 ft. fireboat John J Harvey was first launched in 1931 , the same year that produced the Empire State Building and the George Washington Bridge. This vessel continued to guard New York's waters until it was finally retired from service in 1994. One of the most powerful fireboats ever built, it was capable of pumping water over the roadway on the George Washington Bridge and has proven just as capable today.

In 1999, the John J Harvey was purchased by marine preservationists dedicated to its ongoing restoration project. In 2000, the vessel was placed in the National Register of Historic Places and was nominated to be a National Historic Landmark.

Tall Ship Mystic Whaler

Tall Ship Mystic Whaler

Launched in 1967, the Windjammer Mystic Whaler is a 110 ft. replica of a New England schooner. Sailing out of New London, CT, it primarily operates as a charter vessel, offering day sails as well as 3- and 5-day sailing vacations. Each spring, however, it also visits the Hudson River to participate in the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater's environmental education programs.

Onrust

Replica Onrust

The original Onrust was constructed on the shores of New York Bay by Dutch trader and explorer Adrien Block in 1614 following the fiery destruction of his original vessel, the Tyger, making this jaght the first European-style ship to be constructed in the New World. Building on Hudson's 1609 expedition for the VOC, Block then sailed the Onrust to continue exploring Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, and the New England coastline out to Cape Cod.

New Netherland Routes, Inc., began the Replica Onrust project in 2006, primarily utilizing 17th-century Dutch construction techniques. Launched on May 20th, 2009, River Day marks the new Onrust's maiden voyage.

Sloop Woody Guthrie

Sloop Woody Guthrie

The Woody Guthrie is a 32 ft. replica of the gaff-rigged Hudson River sloops popular in the 19th century. Launched in 1978, its construction was spearheaded by Pete Seeger to support the ongoing mission of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Built and operated by the Beacon Sloop Club, it continues to offer the public free rides and environmental education five nights a week.

Escort Vessels

Launch 5

Launch 5

Launch 5, more formally known as Launch 5 USCG Auxiliary Facility #523356, is a retired NYPD Harbor Unit Patrol Boat. When it was first launched in 1966, it was one of the first steel hull, twin screw diesel launches put into service by the NYPD and was named for a fallen officer, Patrolman Henry Walburger. In 1996, the Patrolman Henry A Walburger was retired and sunk. Two years later, it was raised and underwent years of extensive restoration. Launch 5 now saves lives as an Auxiliary Coast Guard Unit.

Naval Militia Patrol Boats

Naval Militia Patrol Boats

Founded in 1889, the New York Naval Militia is a component of the New York State defense forces. The New York Naval Militia will provide two patrol boats from its Military Emergency Boat Service fleet (MEBS) to accompany the River Day flotilla.

Created in 2001, the state-wide missions of the MEBS include providing assistance to US Customs and Border Protection on Lake Champlain and to support US Coast Guard Boarding Teams in New York Harbor.

Riverkeeper

Riverkeeper

Riverkeeper is an independent, member-supported environmental advocacy organization that arose from the Hudson River Fisherman's Association in 1966, an era when the Hudson River was dangerously polluted and its ecology on the brink of death. The organization launched its first Riverkeeper patrol boat in 1983 to test the quality and stability of the state's waterways, and continues to serve as a watchdog against polluters to this day.

The Hudson River Riverkeeper patrol vessel will join the flotilla for the River Day voyage.

A US Coast Guard vessel.

US Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is one of the nation's five armed services, and is tasked with protecting America's waterways. The Coast Guard provided the River Day Flotilla with several patrol cutters, including the USCGC Ridley and the USCGC Chinook (pictured here).

Launch Day Vessels
These commercial vessels, some of whom represent River Day event sponsors, will accompany the flotilla from New York Harbor to the Tappan Zee region on Day One, June 6, before returning to New York City.

Schooner Adirondack

Schooner Adirondack

The Adirondack is an 80 ft. schooner built by Scarano Boat Building of Albany, NY in the style of the schooners of the 1890s. It operates out of Chelsea Piers as a charter vessel offering 2-hour tours of the Manhattan waterfront. Launched in 1999, the Adirondack is thus celebrating its 10th anniversary on the water.

The Adirondack is operated by Classic Harbor Line, an official River Day sponsor.

Circle Line Cruiser

Circle Line Cruiser

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises has provided narrated tours of the New York waterline since 1945. The company will provide one of its motor yachts to accompany the River Day flotilla as it parades past New York City.

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises is an official River Day sponsor.

Clipper Ship Clipper City

Clipper Ship Clipper City

The Clipper City is New York City's largest Tall Ship. Constructed using original plans borrowed from the National Archives, this ship is a 160 ft. replica of the clipper ships common in American waters in the 19th century. Today, the Clipper City sails out of South Street Seaport to provide day sails.

Discover Boating

Discover Boating

Discover Boating is a national awareness effort managed by the Marine Manufacture Association to promote recreational boating. In addition to demonstrating the benefits of boating, Discover Boating also seeks to provide boating education and opportunities.

An official River Day sponsor, Discover Boating is represented on Launch Day by a pair of recreational vessels, including the VP Maritime I pictured here.

Manhattan

Manhattan

Built by Scarano Boat Building in Albany, NY like the Adirondack, the Manhattan is an 80 ft. power boat constructed in the style of the motor yachts favored by New York City's elite in the early 20th century. It operates out of Chelsea Piers, offering day cruises of New York Harbor.

The Manhattan is operated by Classic Harbor Line, an official River Day sponsor.

Sea Tow

Founded in 1983, Sea Tow is a nationwide marine assistance provider for recreational boaters and an official River Day sponsor. Its headquarters are located in Southold, NY.

Sea Tow provided the River Day flotilla with one of its support vessels for Launch Day.

We never managed to capture the Sea Tow vessel with our cameras; if you spotted it, send your pictures our way!

The Shearwater

Shearwater

The Shearwater is an 82.5 ft., double masted Maine schooner first launched in 1929. Over the course of its long history, it has sailed around the world several times as a luxury yacht and racer, and spent WWII patroling for submarines under the Coast Guard. The Shearwater now operates as a charter yacht offering day sails out of New York and Long Island Sound.

Water Taxi

Water Taxi

New York Water Taxi is a private company that provides both commuter transportation and recreational tours around New York Harbor. A water taxi will accompany the River Day fleet during Launch Day.

Local Recreational Vessels
Local recreational vessels

Local yacht clubs and marinas from New York to Rensselaer have organized to turn out their fleets for this event. Each day, local recreational vessels will accompany the flotilla's heritage and escort vessels to their next destination before returning to their home ports.

You may notice that one of the "local vessels" pictured here actually happens to be the 12-meter yacht America II, which came out to join the flotilla for the Opening Festivities on June 5 and the Opening Day Flotilla Parade the next day.

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