Charting The Waterways Around New York

Richard Clifford, an attorney in private practice, was interviewed earlier this year due to his impressive experience as a kayaker of marathon swimmers.

During the 2010 Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, Richard will kayak for Lynne Smith, a 9:50 English Channel swimmer and Naval Academy graduate who has done two tours of duty in Iraq.

According to Richard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has placed its BookletCharts online for free for the public.

These charts can help boaters, including pilots and support crew for marathon swimmers, help locate their position on the water. The charts has been reduced in scale and divided into pages for convenience, but contains all the information of the full-scale nautical charts.

Richard, in the spirit of fairness and support of all the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim participants, provided information the Atlantic Coast charts that include Manhattan Island and its surrounding rivers.

"This gives swimmers access to the same Manhattan Island charts that I have been using for years to plan a route for the annual race.," said Richard who gave additional detailed information on the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim course.

For New York Harbor on pages 6-7. For Hudson and East Rivers, Governor's Island, up to 67th Street on pages 11 and 15. For East River at Hell's Gate (Mill Rock) and lower Harlem River on pages 5, 6, 10, 11 and 16. For the Harlem River on pages 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10. For Hudson Rivers, George Washington Bridge to 66th Street on pages 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18. For East River at Hell's Gate (Mill Rock) and lower Harlem River on pages 5, 6, 10, 11 and 16. For the Harlem River on pages 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10. For the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge to 66th Street on pages 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18.

If there is anyone who knows these water around New York City, it is surely Richard who are guided many swimmers safely and successfully around the island, including the last two year's winner of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, John Van Wisse of Australia.

Copyright © 2009 by World Open Water Swimming Association