Yesterday I wrote about the air traffic professionals who safely cleared America's airspace on the tragic morning of September 11, 2001. Today, the Maritime Administration is proud to share a new video about the merchant mariners of the New York City area who used their skills and vessels to help evacuate more than 300,000 people from the chaos of Lower Manhattan.
"Rescue at Water's Edge" tells the story of the tugs, ferries, and tour boats--manned by selfless captains and crew members--who sailed into an uncertain situation to shuttle people away from the horror downtown.
Instead of heading for safety, the watermen and women of New York and New Jersey steered toward the thick clouds of smoke. They began picking up shocked passengers and transporting them away from the devastation. Joining them were cadets, faculty, and staff from the US Merchant Marine Academy at nearby Kings Point. Their combined efforts became the largest unplanned water evacuation in our nation's history.
Passengers gather at the waterfront to await evacuation,, photo courtesy USCG
The passengers on these boats knew only that two planes had already struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center, lives had been lost, and all roads, tunnels, and transit out of Lower Manhattan were closed. They needed to get away, and New York's waters offered the only outlet.
In addition to ferrying passengers out of harm's way, the maritime community also delivered emergency workers and medical supplies into Manhattan, supporting the first responders on the scene.
Answering the call for "All available boats," photo courtesy NYPD
On 9/11, many, many police officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and merchant mariners--like American heroes of previous generations--responded by fearlessly going into harm's way to do the right thing. We can't thank them enough for their courage.
The normal human reaction is to flee danger. I know. I would. Look at all the refugees fleeing war and disaster.
Heroes walk into danger to rescue or to do other brave and necessary things. Who were the people walking into the burning Twin Towers? Fire and EMS.
They say it is just their job. But they choose police work, fire fighting, EMS, the military, etc.
The rest of us choose the safety of Web design, et cetera, and marvel at and honor them.
(And if it wasn't for the troops who volunteer, you can bet people like us, depending on age and health, might be forcibly mustered into service. That ought to make you think twice about your freedom and who is defending it.)
Posted by: Chris Marsh | September 08, 2011 at 11:02 AM