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Coast Guard breaks up ice in Hudson River, NY Harbor as NYC Ferry remains suspended
By
Andrew Giambrone
Published Jan 30, 2026
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Luke Green / Gothamist
By
Andrew Giambrone
Published Jan 30, 2026
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Talk about an icebreaker.
Three big tugboats from the U.S. Coast Guard are roving the Hudson River and New York Harbor to break up chunks of ice amid the frigid temperatures so that other vessels can more safely navigate those waters, according to the agency.
Coast Guard officials say icy conditions in the waterways have expanded quickly in the past several days as a deep freeze has settled over the metro area, and there are now significant amounts of ice from the harbor to the Hudson Valley.
They say these conditions are likely to persist over the coming days, since the forecast calls for continued extreme cold, including real-feel temperatures near zero or in the low single digits at times.
“Winter brings freezing temperatures and ice formation on New York waterways, which can adversely impact safe navigation, winter fuel deliveries and public transportation,” Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, said in a statement. “Our crews are working around the clock to keep waterways as safe and navigable as possible while coordinating closely with our partners.”
The tugboats include two 140-foot Bay-class icebreaking tugs and a 65-foot harbor tug, according to the Coast Guard. They are all homeported in Bayonne.
Officials said all ports in the Coast Guard's New York area sector are currently open.
New York City Ferry service, however, remained suspended Friday because of the icy conditions in local waterways.
The network said it is monitoring maritime conditions and preparing its fleet so that service can resume once conditions improve. Commuters can check the NYC Ferry website or app for updates.
Staten Island Ferry service, which is separately managed, is running on its normal weekday schedule, a spokesperson for the city's transportation department said. The large size of the ships and depth of their propellers mean the thin ice in the waterways does not affect the vessels' operations, according to the department.
Coast Guard officials said they are working to ensure energy reliability in the region, and home heating oil supplies are reported to be stable.
They urged mariners to exercise caution and report any hazards to the agency.
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New York Bay
hudson river
new york city
nyc ferry
public safety
transportation
Andrew Giambrone
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