By Doug Black

Last week was particularly tough for tugboat operators, whose aspirations were mired in sludge. Recently, a team of six tugboats couldn’t budge the historic Intrepid aircraft carrier that was lodged into the floor of the Hudson River. Amidst a fanfare 25 years (and $250,000) in the making, with Sen. Hillary Clinton and former mayors Koch and Dinkins on hand, 500 spectators were treated to 90 minutes of fruitless tugging and a net movement of fifteen feet. 

Also, Robert Seckers, the selfless tugboat captain who graciously offered his time and effort to help victims of the disastrous Staten Island ferryboat crash three years ago, decided he wanted the city’s appreciation to come with a dollar amount. Seckers latched onto the damaged ferry and kept it anchored to a pier while rescuers tended to the injured and now wants $2 million for his efforts, while his company is demanding $6 million. The claimants point to a long-standing maritime tradition that ensures a reward to boats that help other boats in distress. Obviously the wayward seamen are unversed in the ancient land-based tradition of not being a penny pincher when it comes to helping people during a tragedy.