Intrepid on the Move

Within the next few minutes, tugs will be pulling the USS Intrepid from its berth at Pier 86 into the Hudson River to begin a short trip down to a dry dock in Bayonne, NJ. It's getting some much needed refurbishment work done and should be reopened in time for Fleet Week 2008.

Here's a webcam where you can watch the activities. The tugs are expected to begin their tasks at 9:15AM EST to coincide with the highest tides. The Intrepid had been berthed at its pier for so long, it became encased in muck that had to be dredged away but it still needs more than a bit of assistance to get clear.

Official website is here.

UPDATE:
Stuck in the mud. The organizers of the move will have to regroup and figure out how to get the ship out of its current position. They had managed to move it what appears to be about 50-100 feet before it became stuck on the bottom again. They'll have to wait for the next high tide before trying again.

UPDATE:
It was the Intrepid's silent protest against moving out of the City, even for a short layover for a rehab and refit.

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