U.S. Coast Guard Battles Icy Waters in New York Harbor
U.S. Coast Guard cutters are working tirelessly to keep New York’s iced-over waterways moving, including freeing an NYPD Harbor Unit vessel that was beset by ice floes on Tuesday. The Coast Guard Cutter Hawser broke the ice around the NYPD vessel, which was stuck near Pier 86 on the west side of Midtown Manhattan, according to a social media post from the Coast Guard’s Northeast District.
U.S. Coast Guard cutters are busy trying to keep New York’s iced-over waterways moving, including freeing an NYPD Harbor Unit vessel that was beset by ice floes Tuesday.
Ice Coverage and Its Impact
A displaced polar vortex has brought subfreezing temperatures to the eastern U.S., causing many parts of the Hudson River and New York Harbor to freeze over. The ice coverage has been so extensive that it has affected the operations of the NYPD Harbor Unit, with one of its vessels getting stuck in the ice. The Coast Guard received a request from the NYPD to break the ice around the police department’s Hudson River facilities, which were iced in.
Days of cold expected for the eastern U.S.
(FOX Weather)
Coast Guard’s Efforts to Keep Waterways Open
The Coast Guard Cutter Hawser, a 65-foot-long vessel, is one of the few Coast Guard cutters capable of traveling through inland waterways from New York Harbor north to Lake Champlain near the Canadian border. Its small size and reinforced hull make it an ideal vessel for icebreaking operations. The cutter’s crew is well-trained and experienced in navigating icy waters, and they understand the importance of keeping the waterways open for public safety and economic reasons.
U.S. Coast Guard cutters are busy trying to keep New York’s iced-over waterways moving, including freeing an NYPD Harbor Unit vessel that was beset by ice floes Tuesday. U.S. Coast Guard Captain Johnathan Andrechik, Captain of the Port for New York and New Jersey, joined FOX Weather Command.
Challenges and Preparations
According to U.S. Coast Guard Captain Johnathan Andrechik, the Coast Guard was prepared for increased icing as temperatures are expected to stay at or below freezing for the next few weeks. Captain Andrechik mentioned that ice has been reported as far north on the Hudson as Albany, some 150 miles north. The Coast Guard’s icebreaking operations are crucial for public safety, as well as for keeping the Northeast’s energy supply lines moving and the regional economic hub open for business.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -JANUARY 27: The Statue of Liberty stands in the distance as ice floats coveri part of the Hudson River along the Manhattan shoreline as New York City experiences frigid temperatures following a winter storm over the weekend on January 27, 2026, in New York City.
((Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Impact on Ferry Services
Due to the widespread icy conditions, New York City suspended all ferry service on Wednesday. New York Waterway, a popular private ferry operator with service to New Jersey, also suspended several routes. The company stated that its experienced teams are working to safely navigate the challenging cold weather conditions.
New York City high temperatures were 1.2 degrees below average for January, with more cold weather expected to end the month.
(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)
Conclusion
The U.S. Coast Guard’s efforts to keep New York’s iced-over waterways moving are crucial for public safety and the regional economy. The Coast Guard’s icebreaking operations are a unique mission that requires specialized vessels and trained personnel. As the cold weather continues, the Coast Guard will remain vigilant and work to keep the waterways open.
Coast Guard Cutter Hawser (left) and Coast Guard Cutter Wire (right) transit northbound on the ice-covered Hudson River near Saugerties, New York, Jan. 5, 2018.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve Strohmaier / FOX Weather)
For more information and updates on the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking operations, visit Here
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