Monday, January 10, 2011

Rite of winter: buoy tending by the Katherine Walker, USCG

The Katherine Walker
As I came down the block I saw the Coast Guard buoy tender Katherine Walker - WLM 552 - pulling up the Hudson River 2 channel marker - a flashing  3 meter tower.  I ran upstairs , grabbed my camera, and watched them lowering a small nun - an ice buoy - in anticipation of the coming freeze.  The location: the North River - just off West 181 Street above the George Washington Bridge. (click on images to enlarge)
lowering the winter buoy - lighted tower on deck


pushing away using bow and stern thrusters