Ever notice those barges floating down the East River? Ever wanted to climb aboard? Well, nautically-inclined daydreamers, you're in luck: from July 14 through 25, "Tug & Barge Week" will dock at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 6, where the Waterfront Museum and the Tug Pegasus Preservation Project are teaming up to offer free trips on a historical tugboat and barge. They're also offering a whole slew of seaworthy activities, like the "Creatures of the Deep" art exhibition, free kayaking and squid dissection(!) workshops. more ›

Earlier this afternoon, both NYC Harbor Patrol and Hoboken Police flocked to what looked like a whale in the Hudson River (we also had a reader alert us that it looked like a dead orca whale was in the water, from her view at the IAC building on West 18th Street). Now Hoboken 411 (who has photos) reports that what looked "similar to a whale or capsized boat" was really just a piece of a tug boat that had fallen off a vessel. So, phew, no dead whale sightings today! more ›

During the horrific Staten Island Ferry crash of 2003, which killed 11 people and injured many others, the Dorothy J. tugboat was one of the vessels that came to the aide of the crashed ferry. In 2006, the crew and owners of the tugboat sued the city for millions, citing "ancient maritime law" in which mariners are encouraged to help other boaters in distress, with financial compensation as a reward. But in a ruling today, a Brooklyn federal judge decided that the Dorothy J. wasn't really much help after all, and tossed the owner and crew a mere $46,203.33, to be split three ways. more ›

Yesterday was the 17th Annual Tugboat Race and Competition. The other competitions are "Nose to nose pushing contests and line toss competition" but the main event is the race from the 79th Street Boat Basin to Pier 84 at 42nd Street—one nautical mile. Flickr user and Gothamist reader ennuipoet, who took these great photographs (more here), says, "The Ellen McCallister won with a time of just over six minutes." more ›

Yesterday was the 16th Annual Tug Boat Race in the Hudson River. Officially called the Great North River Tugboat Race & Competition, it was a dazzling day for watching the tugs parade and perform. more ›