Maritime response following the September 11 attacks

Following the September 11 attacks in New York City, numerous individuals found themselves trapped in Lower Manhattan as a result of the shutdown of bridges and tunnels and public transit systems. Within moments after the initial impact on the first tower, several fireboats operated by the New York City Fire Department arrived at the scene. The United States Coast Guard organized an extensive flotilla comprising merchant ships, tugboats, and ferries to assist in evacuating those stranded.

In the days following the attacks, more than 150 vessels along with around 600 crew members played a crucial role in evacuating victims and delivering essential supplies. According to commandant of the Coast Guard James Loy, this unprecedented evacuation effort relocated over half a million civilians — exceeding even the scale of the Dunkirk evacuation.

Background

After the second airplane struck the South Tower, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey immediately shut down all bridges and tunnels under its jurisdiction. Similarly, crossings managed by MTA Bridges and Tunnels into Manhattan were closed for at least twenty-four hours. This resulted in many people being isolated within Lower Manhattan or compelled to evacuate using East River routes such as the Brooklyn Bridge. Meanwhile, the United States Coast Guard New York Sector declared New York Harbor off-limits to all vessel traffic. Following the collapse of the South Tower, evacuees assembled at piers along the Lower Hudson River awaiting maritime evacuation assistance.

Maritime evacuation

Early estimates suggested that between 500,000 and 1 million individuals were evacuated by water, but more precise assessments place the number closer to 270,000. The evacuation involved around 130 to 150 vessels, ranging from Staten Island ferries capable of carrying roughly 6,000 passengers to small inflatable boats accommodating just two or three people.

Coast Guard and government response

Emergency radio transmissions were issued by the United States Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service and the New York Police Department Harbor Unit, calling on nearby vessels to assist with evacuations from Battery Park. Besides managing vessel movements, the Coast Guard played a vital role in recovery operations at the Fresh Kills Landfill and in Lower Manhattan. Among the cutters deployed were , , and .

The Coast Guard tug , stationed in Bayonne, New Jersey, was the first to arrive in New York Harbor and served as the On-Scene Commander until relieved by Adak. Following this, Adak directed civilian evacuations, firefighter transport, and the establishment of security zones for several hours. For its exemplary service, Adak was awarded the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award.

Several fireboats from the New York City Fire Department, such as Fire Fighter and the decommissioned John J. Harvey, were among the earliest responders. These vessels provided high-pressure water from the harbor to firefighters on land when local water mains were damaged due to the collapse of towers.

Civilian response

Evacuation efforts were supported by numerous ferry operators, including the Staten Island Ferry and SeaStreak. In addition, various vessels like tugboats and commercial ships within the New York metropolitan area answered distress calls. The NY Waterway, operating a fleet of 24 boats, transported close to 150,000 evacuees during the crisis.

Aftermath

The coordination of maritime activities and evacuation operations received widespread acclaim from media outlets. Norman Mineta, who served as United States Secretary of Transportation at the time, referred to this event as "the largest maritime evacuation in United States history." On the twentieth anniversary, the New York Council Navy League recognized maritime participants for their courageous efforts during "the Great Boatlift of 9/11."

Depiction in media

The 2011 documentary Boatlift: An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience, narrated by Tom Hanks, showcased the crucial contributions of boat crews throughout the evacuation process.