In this video from Gothamist producer Jessica Leibowitz, see what it takes to be a Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot in the crowded and treacherous New York Harbor.
The New York colony was established in 1664 and the port became a bustling entry point. In 1694, after a storm prevented ships from accessing the harbor, the colony passed a bill appointing the first pilots “who shall continuously attend at some convenient place near the Hook with a boat to give all aid and assistance to all vessels bound for this Port which they are oblig’d to pilot,” the law said. The pilots were local seamen, unaccredited except for their expertise of the port and its waterways. After independence, the first New York state-licensed Sandy Hook pilot was named in 1794.
Check out the accompanying article for more.
via Gothamist
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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