Baylander Steel Beach

Baylander started its service life in 1968 as harbor utility craft  YFU-79 during the Vietnam War. It was one of 16 Skilak class lighters  that were purchased by the US Navy and used to move men and material  around the delta regions there. After the war it was laid up until 1986  when it was converted into a helicopter landing trainer and renamed  Baylander HLT after its home port in Pensacola Bay. Over the next 25  years there were over 122,000 landings on board. It allowed members of  all the services and allied nations the opportunity to become aircraft  carrier qualified in landing on a moving ship at sea. After the decision  to go with computer based flight training, it was sold at auction and  purchased by the Trenk Family Foundation in 2012. After mooring in  several locations throughout the New York area, Baylander is currently  docked on the Hudson at the 125th St. West Harlem Piers Park. Over the  course of the next few years we were able to obtain many artifacts from  the military that we use as furniture and decor. Our Bar and Kitchen  were originally storage containers that were utilized to provide meals  for the troops in Afghanistan. In non-COVID times we have provided a  variety of Maritime programming for the General Public. Please visit us  on Facebook for any current updates Baylander IX - 514.