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A tugboat captain has been suspended following a collision with the historic Hudson Athens Lighthouse on Tuesday (April 29). The tugboat, owned by Coeymans-based Carver Companies, struck the lighthouse, causing significant damage to its dock and staircase. The lighthouse, located between Greene and Columbia counties, is managed by the Hudson Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
The incident occurred when the tugboat, named the Erin Elizabeth, was pushing barges, one of which made contact with the lighthouse. The collision has made it impossible to access the structure, halting ongoing roof repairs. According to Times Union, the company immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard upon learning of the incident. However, Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky stated that his department was not informed directly by the company but rather by the preservation society.
The weather is being considered as a possible factor in the accident, and Brian Moore, general manager of Carver Marine Towing, confirmed the captain's suspension pending an investigation. Criminal charges may be filed, with Sheriff Kusminsky comparing the incident to a hit-and-run crash.
The preservation society is coordinating with Carver Companies to install a temporary dock and repair the staircase. Fortunately, the lighthouse's structure remains undamaged. Scuba divers are scheduled to inspect the underwater portions of the lighthouse to ensure no further damage occurred.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had previously greenlit preservation work on the lighthouse due to concerns about its stability. The lighthouse, built in the 1870s, was at risk of collapsing into the river because modern ships have displaced sediment that once protected its foundation.