Hudson River Bill Freezes Anchoring Spots: Only Pre-2021 Sites Allowed, Limiting Vessel Flexibility

The “Hudson River Protection Act” is short, but it packs a punch, particularly if you run a boat—commercial or recreational—on a specific stretch of the Hudson River. This bill essentially slams the door on creating new places for vessels to anchor, locking in the status quo from three years ago.

The Anchor Drop: What’s Actually Changing

First, the bill cleans house by striking out two existing rules (subsections (d) and (e) of Section 8437 of a previous law). Then, it introduces the core restriction: The Coast Guard Commandant is now required to prohibit anchoring in that specified area unless the spot was officially designated as an anchorage ground before January 1, 2021 (SEC. 2, New Anchoring Restriction). Think of it like this: If a spot wasn't on the approved map three years ago, it’s off-limits now and forever, regardless of whether it might be a safer or more convenient place to stop today. This is a hard, historical cutoff date driving current policy.

Why the Cutoff Date Matters for Mariners

For those who make their living on the river or rely on its passage, this bill introduces a significant rigidity. If you’re a tugboat operator moving a barge and weather or mechanical issues force you to seek immediate shelter, your options for safe harbor are now strictly limited to historically approved zones. If a previously safe, unapproved area was the best or only option nearby, it’s now prohibited by law. This takes away the flexibility that mariners often need to manage safety and logistics on a dynamic waterway. The law effectively says, “No new anchorages, ever,” which could become a major headache if the river’s traffic patterns or environmental conditions change over time.

The Impact on Safety and Planning

This restriction could impact everyone from small recreational boaters to large commercial shipping companies. While the intent might be to protect the riverbed or maintain stability in established areas, the practical effect is a reduction in available safe zones. Vessel owners rely on flexible anchoring options for safety—it’s not always about convenience; sometimes it’s about waiting out a storm or making emergency repairs. By limiting the Coast Guard's ability to designate new, safe areas based on current needs, the bill introduces a potential safety constraint. It trades administrative flexibility for regulatory certainty, but that certainty might come at the cost of operational adaptability for those on the water.