PIX11: 2nd dolphin is now hanging out in the East River

“Last week we told you about a dolphin sighting in the east river, turns out there was not one but two. Just two days after the first one was spotted, another dolphin was spotted on the other side of the river. Yesterday members of the north Brooklyn boat club took to the water to find both dolphins hanging out together. Both appear healthy and a little lost.

PIX11: 2nd dolphin is now hanging out in the East River (March 18, 2013)

This entry was posted in Press and tagged Dolphin, East River, PIX11, Press on March 18, 2013 by admin.

Greenpoint Star: Brooklyn’s refuge for the outdoor enthusiast

“Self-proclaimed stewards of the city’s waterways, the North Brooklyn Boat Club recently took charge of the 200-foot long space at the northern end of McGuinness Boulevard (49 Ashe St.) last year, providing their members and enthusiasts the opportunity to get out on the water in human power boating, canoeing, kayaking and rowing tours along the East River.

Will Elkins, member of the group’s steering committee, as well as trip leader and canoe instructor, said that while they are dedicated to enduring the spirit of the outdoors lifestyle, they are also devoted to learning and preserving Newtown Creek and the adjoining East River.”

“In the last year, the group received startup grants from the Hudson River Foundation, support from the Long Island City Community Boathouse, and also acquired donated steel containers from TNT Scrap Metal and Plackos Scrap Processing to store their equipment.

With the help from the neighboring businesses and community, they were able to offer their fast-growing group, which has already reached nearly 100 members, up to four excursions a week last year.

“Most of New York is surrounded by water, and with the state of the creek (Newtown Creek), a lot of people avoid the water because there is a lack of knowledge of the water around us,” Elkins explained. “My interest is getting people out there who never thought that was possible.”

As they await warmer days for their trips out of their waterfront dock to the East River, either toward Astoria or down to Red Hook, the group spends their winter meets learning about the ecology of the water, brushing up on boating and safety technique, and developing a boat building and repair workshop for the upcoming season.”

“The group is currently working with LaGuardia Community College as they plan on turning one of the donated containers into “The Ed Shed” – a classroom space for teaching members and students from the college about the surrounding ecosystem.

Fung Lim, also a steering committee member, specializes in traditional boat building, and is currently working on rebuilding a 1940s peapod boat he found in Sag Harbor, Long Island.”

Greenpoint Star: Brooklyn’s refuge for the outdoor enthusiast (March 5, 2013)

This entry was posted in Press and tagged Greenpoint Star, Press on March 5, 2013 by admin.

Newtown Creek in February

Photos from a February survey of Newtown Creek’s wildlife during extreme low tide conditions. Variously documented organisms included mussels, barnacles, oysters, mud snails, and an unidentified fish (possible stripped bass). As always with off season trips, on-water participants were wearing proper safety gear/attire for near freezing air and water temperatures. Variously documented organisms included mussels, barnacles, oysters, mud snails, and an unidentified fish (possible stripped bass). As always with off season trips, on-water participants were wearing proper safety gear/attire for near freezing air and water temperatures.

This entry was posted in Voyages on February 6, 2013 by admin.

NBBC Paddles in the New Year

A group of North Brooklyn Boat Club members took to the water today, January 1st, to celebrate the New Year, new drysuits for cold weather paddling and our first winter season on the water. Happy New Year! A group of North Brooklyn Boat Club members took to the water today, January 1st, to celebrate the New Year, new drysuits for cold weather paddling and our first winter season on the water. Happy New Year!