See the US flag flying off the stern here and
here?
That makes this 1999 built container vessel somewhat unique among traffic in the Kills.
Enjoy it.
I’m not sure what purpose that primer-red upfolded arm serves or what it’s called. 
Here Ellen McAllister
retrieves the docking pilot.
while Robert continues the assist.
All photos by Will Van Dorp, who’s still out cat fishing. And while the fish were not biting, I read this Rick Bass collection, which I highly recommend if you’re looking to read.
tugster: a waterblog 
7 comments
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June 10, 2016 at 11:16 am
bowsprite
hail the red, white, blue and gorgeous orange-gold rust
June 10, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Andreas
The arm you’ve mentioned is the rail for a crane, just folded out ob the way.There’s a similar one on the port side. Hope hat helps.
Best regards
Andreas
June 10, 2016 at 1:24 pm
xtian
Hello
the primer-red upfolded arm is a gantry overhead rail to embark/desembark heavy spare parts from the quay to the engine room – some time it’s also used to embark/desembark small containers with all food/drink
All modern ship have this rail, most of the time on both sides (here the portside is painted in white), sometime upfolded like here some time side folded and some telescopic style
Thanks for all your pics
Xtian
June 10, 2016 at 5:06 pm
William Lafferty
The Maersk Idaho ordinarily would not be flying an American flag, being built in Korea and wholly owned by a foreign entity (A. P. Moller-Maersk) and therefore ineligible for American registry under the Jones Act, but the Maritime Administration, through the federal Maritime Security Program, contracts with Maersk to provide vessels for the the nation’s defense purposes (American registry lacking in commercial vessels that can be quickly utilized for military sealift duties). The Maersk Idaho and eight other Maersk vessels were reflagged American in 2009 as part of the MARAD-Maersk agreement under the ownership of Maersk Lines Ltd of Norfolk, Maersk’s United States subsidiary. The vessel was originally in British registry as the Gosport Maersk.
June 10, 2016 at 5:36 pm
George Schneider
MAERSK IDAHO got her name and became U.S. flag in 2009. She was built in 1999 by Hyundai Heavy Industries as GOSPORT MAERSK for Maersk Line’s U.K. flag operation. At 958 feet long, I’m guessing she’s the largest container ship that’s ever been under U. S. flag, but by virtue of being foreign-built, she is not permitted to carry cargo between U.S. Ports
The red arm you noticed is in the right position to be a “stores crane,” used to bring small loads of ship’s stores or baggage onboard, both from a pier and from a launch at anchor, so I’ll go out on a limb and guess that’s what it is.
Thank you, as always, for sharing your pictures and observations with the rest of us who don’t have access to the Sixth Boro and its lore. –George Schneider
Solana Beach CA
June 10, 2016 at 11:57 pm
sfdi1947
In docks where there is a standoff, whether because of shoaling or Container Crane/fendering, Keppel Harbor, Singapore comes to mind, the Red gangway extension connects with one on shore.
June 11, 2016 at 10:48 am
js
Rust imparts character. IDAHO…..you’re snazzy.