Maritime response following September 11 attacks

The Maritime Response was a large-scale evacuation effort at the Port of New York and New Jersey that transported people from Lower Manhattan. Over 500 different boats, including ferries, tugboats, and private vessels, worked together to handle the overwhelming flow of evacuees.

The operation took place on September 11, 2001, and was one of the first organized responses to the attacks. This coordinated effort made it the largest water evacuation in United States history.

Boat operators showed remarkable solidarity when civilian vessel owners voluntarily joined emergency responders to help with evacuation efforts. This spontaneous cooperation between professionals and ordinary people became a defining feature of the maritime response that day.

The evacuation operated from various port facilities and terminals along the East River and Hudson River, where boats picked up evacuees and transported them to different landing sites. Those visiting today can explore the waterfront areas along both river banks where many of these departure points remain visible.

Many private boat operators arrived to help without being asked, in what became known as a spontaneous civilian mobilization. This unexpected support from the local maritime community proved crucial to the evacuation's success.

Part of: aftermath of the September 11 attacks, September 11 attacks

GPS coordinates: 40.66833,-74.04556

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00