Join us for a virtual event — presented by the Transportation Institute and hosted by Turnstile Tours and New York Council Navy League — to hear firsthand stories from the Coast Guard and maritime industry personnel who took part in the 9/11 Boatlift.

As tragedy unfolded on September 11, 2001, ordinary Americans did what Americans do at their best — they answered the call to help their fellow citizens. With Lower Manhattan streets blocked and the subways closed, crowds built up along accessible points of the shoreline. Captains and crew of the ferries already in the area, assisted by NYPD, started loading passengers to bring them to safety. With that, the largest maritime evacuation in history began.

As the crowds grew, the U.S. Coast Guard put out a radio call to all available vessels and began to coordinate the rescue efforts. Within eight hours, more than 800 mariners on 125 vessels transported 500,000 people away from danger.

This year, generous sponsorship from the Transportation Institute is allowing us to bring you the stories from some of the selfless heroes of that day, including Coast Guard personnel and mariners from the Staten Island Ferry, NY Waterway, Sandy Hook Pilots and more. Our free event will be held on Zoom on Friday, September 11 at 6:00 P.M.

The event is free and open to the public. Click here to register and we will send you the log-in link closer to the event. If you would like to submit questions in advance, you may do so via email to info@nynavyleague.org. You will also be able to submit questions during the event.