Largest Maritime Evacuation In U.S.

After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, more than 500,000 people were evacuated from Lower Manhattan by boats in less than 9 hours, and this is the largest maritime evacuation in U.S. history.

It involved over 150 vessels, including merchant ships, ferries, fireboats, private yachts, tugboats and even small rubber dinghies.

More than 800 mariners and countless volunteers were a part of the effort coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies like the NYPD, FDNY, and private companies.

Unfolding of the Biggest Maritime Evacuation in the U.S

After the collapse of the Twin Towers, bridges, transit routes, and tunnels were closed, and many people were stranded. After this, the Coast Guard issued a call for all available boats to assist in the evacuation effort.

Ships lined along the waterfront, and lines of evacuees stretched as many waited to board and go to a safe place.

The boat operators communicated with each other using marine