The East River Keeper Instagram page is continuing the great work in the new year sharing photos and telling stories about the East River boat traffic while:
Sitting on #RooseveltIsland like a lighthouse keeper, watching the boats and world go by on the #EastRiver, and wondering about their stories…
Here’s yesterday’s East River Keeper story:
You see a vessel on the #EastRiver in the early morning light and have little idea of the importance it has on our marine ecosystem, #climatechange, and how it helps to sustain the Irish ale battered fish (with chips) served up at @grannyanniesbarandkitchen on Roosevelt Island…
The 187-foot @NOAA ship, R/V NANCY FOSTER, was originally built as a @Navy torpedo test vessel, and in 2001 it was transferred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“One of the most operationally diverse platforms in the #NOAA fleet of 15 vessels, the ship supports fish habitat and population studies, seafloor mapping surveys, oceanographic studies, and maritime heritage surveys along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the Caribbean Sea…
“The ship was named for Dr. Nancy Foster (1941-2000), a pioneer for coastal stewardship who led several NOAA programs to explore, map, protect, and sustainably develop our nation’s coastal and fishery resources. Under her direction, NOAA created the Office of Habitat Conservation, the NOAA Restoration Center, and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office.”
Currently, she is at her homeport in Charleston, SC. Now, please pass the vinegar and tartar sauce.
📷 by @eastriverkeeper taken on 10/17/25 (Source: NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations @NOAAOMAO). Billy Joel’s haunting song “The Downeaster ALEXA,” shares the struggles and tensions of a Long Island fisherman: “And a good captain can’t fall asleep, I got bills to pay and children who need clothes, I know there’s fish out there, but where God only knows, they say these waters aren’t what they used to be, but I got people back on land who count on me…”
Vote for your favorite tugboat.
Somebody is getting a big Christmas gift underneath the wrapping being towed.
Follow the East River Keeper Instagram page for more great photos and stories.