Boater Safety

Navigating Around the New NY Bridge Construction Zone

The New NY Bridge project marine work is now complete. The moorings that have been in place during construction have been removed and all barges and work equipment has been demobilized. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Restricted Navigation Area (RNA) specific for the project expired on July 1, 2020.

The New York State Thruway Authority will continue to have vessels at the bridge for maintenance. The vessels will work from the new maintenance dock located along the north side of the bridge on the Rockland County side. This dock is restricted to Thruway Authority personnel only.

For navigational updates please visit the US Coast Guard District 1:

(https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Featured-Content/Mariners/Local-Notice-to-Mariners-LNMs/District-1/)

Boaters must keep at least 25 yards away from any bridge pier or structure, and are prohibited from tying off to any part of the bridge or Thruway dock.

Additionally, boaters traveling near the bridge are advised to:

  • Pass slowly under the bridge;
  • Watch for maintenance activities and equipment;
  • Not stop or anchor below or near the bridge or Thruway dock;
  • Report all suspicious activity to the Coast Guard or the proper authorities.

For more information, the New York State Boaters Guide is available here.

Boater Documents

  • U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners
  • U.S. Coast Guard Advisory Notice – May 13, 2016
  • Excerpt from Federal Register concerning U.S. Coast Guard’s RNA
  • U.S. Coast Guard Boater Safety Press Release
  • NNYB Boater Safety Project Update
  • U.S. Coast Guard Extended RNA Map
  • U.S. Coast Guard’s Temporary Navigational Lights Map

    In October 2013, temporary navigational lights were relocated as per the diagram below at the existing Tappan Zee Bridge across the Hudson River at mile 27.0. The new temporary navigational lighting plan includes marking the 600 foot wide main channel by affixing four-180° steady, red navigation lights to the underside of the main span, 2 each on the upstream and downstream sides of the structure, 300 feet either side of the centerline of the bridge. Each green center of channel light has 3 white lights stacked vertically above it. The center 600′ feet of the Main Navigation Channel will be free for the passage of marine traffic and clear of all obstructions at all times.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Approved Mooring Locations

    The map below is from the January 14, 2014 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit modification for the New NY Bridge Project to replace the Tappan Zee. It shows the approved temporary mooring locations for construction barges on the Hudson River during the project. There will be barges moored at these approved locations both day and night during the project and there will be up to 100 barges, crew boats and other vessels in the area at the peak of construction. Originally, there were 4 mooring locations established in the spring of 2013. 12 additional areas have been approved and the initial 4 will also be reconfigured. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued the following guidance in its Notice to Mariners: “When transiting the area mariners should stay clear of these locations by a minimum of 1000 feet. Mariners are advised to transit the main channel, reduce wake and use extreme caution while transiting the area in the vicinity of the Tappan Zee Bridge paying particular attention to vessel movement and future notices.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit