I'm looking for a site that has pictures of boats commonly seen in New
York harbor (tug boats, barges, pilot boats, tankers etc) along with
descriptions of the kind of work each one does.  I am exclusively
interested in New York harbor.

Thanks for asking! 

What a facinating question. Alas, I've not been able to locate an
individual website which describes -all- the types of boats and ships
seen in New York Harbor. I've found several, which, taken together,
should cover the subject pretty thoroughly in both words and pictures.


MUSEUMS
*******

South Street Seaport Museum (especially the Virtual Exhibits)
http://www.southstseaport.org/

The Nobel Maritime Collection
http://www.noblemaritime.org/

Mystic Seaport (Photo Galleries)
http://www.mysticseaport.org/learn/index.htm

Maritime Industry Museum at Fort Schuyler
http://www.maritimeindustrymuseum.org/


WORKING WATERCRAFT
******************

New York Harbor Floating Trash Skimming Boats
http://www.trashskimmer.com/janrelease.htm

New York Fast Ferry - About our Boats
http://www.nyff.com/about.html

Sandy Hook Pilots
http://www.sandyhookpilots.com/index.asp

New York Central Tugboats
http://www2pb.ip-soft.net/railinfo/car-floats/nyc-tugs.html

Fireboats - John J. Harvey, Ltd.
http://www.fireboat.org/aboutus.asp

World Ship Society - Port of New York Branch
http://www.worldshipny.com/

Training Ships of the SUNY Maritime College
http://www.maritimeindustrymuseum.org/ships.htm

Marine Vessels Serving New York City
http://www.nywea.org/clearwaters/312010.html

Port of New York and New Jersey Ocean Carriers
http://www.panynj.gov/commerce/carriersframe.html

New York Harbor History
http://www.baycrossings.com/Archives/2002/02_March/new_york_report_new_york_harbor_history.htm


SEARCH STRATEGY
**********************************************************************

I made Google searches, as well as clicking directly to a few
bookmarked websites (South Street Seaport Museum, Port Authority of
New York) to locate images and descriptions. I used the following
Google Search Terms:

"pilot boats" "new york harbor"
"tug boats" OR tugs "new york harbor"
"new york harbor" shipping
"new york harbor" boats OR boating
"tankers" OE "cargo ships" "new york harbor"
"new york harbor" vessels
"new york harbor" "working watercraft"


I hope this information offers the Answer you're seeking. Should you
have any questions about the materials or links provided, please, feel
free to ask.

--larre

My guess is that there is no such site (one that covers ALL the
different boats that work the harbor), but you did a great job of
finding all the major players - the tugs, the pilot boats, the cargo
ships. I loved those boats that skim trash off of the NJ rivers. A
very needed service. Thanks for you help.