BoatLift
October 2, 2011A 9-11 tale
I have read many articles, seen footage, looked at the photographs, and listened to the stories about 9-11. Over and over I’ve tried to make sense of the day and thought about where I was standing and who told me the news. One story I wasn’t aware of that just came across my desk this past week is amazing. The boat owners, captains, and pilots came together in the harbor to help remove people from the island. This video tells a wonderful story of the heroes who raced to the harbor and helped out.
Click here for the link: http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?136581-BoatLift-An-Untold-tale-of-September-11-Resilience.
me arts ed 
This is a great story and I am glad to know of it. Thanks for sending it along Argy. I used to work on tugs and small oil tankers and an environmental sailboat, Clearwater, in these waters. Working here is how I paid for graduate school in Maine.
There is no place else on earth like New York Harbor. Oil ships from Exxon and Sunoco, giant car carriers, Marine patrol, Staten Island ferries, coastal and sea-going tugboats, pleasure craft, historic ships, Coast Guard ships, container ships, barges, and dredges all ply these waters at once.
Viewing the modern-day city from the deck of the mid 19th century replica, 106 foot Hudson River Sloop Clearwater constantly yielded a study of contrasts. Around the end of Dec. some tugboat crews lash small conifers to their boats and light them with colored lights. Traveling by water around the tip of Manhattan at night is really beautiful. I never tired of the lights on all the many bridges on the East River. The language of tugboat toots and whistles communicating with the vessels they serve is also a large part of the working waterfront.
The people that work the water are also a study of contrasts… hard and crusty, soft as butter, easy in temper, clear in chaos and nit-picky in times of leisure…just like all of us.
This film tells a powerful story that until today I did not know. Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you Molly for your comments. It is wonderful to hear your description of the boats and people of the harbor. You must have a sense of have a unique perspective watching the video.
My son was in NYC last week down by Battery Park. He has worked on a schooner in Maine so was curious and got to talking to the workers. Next thing he knew he was invited (at no cost) to go for a boat ride and was thrilled to have the opportunity to be on the water in the harbor.