On 9/11, a Flotilla of Ferries, Yachts and Tugboats Evacuated 500,000 People Away From Ground Zero

• 2021

  Log in to bookmark this resource.

  Log in
• John Hanc

---

Access Resources

• SummaryEN
• Ask aRCie About This Resource

About

This article describes what came to be called the 9/11 Boat Lift, where about 150 commercial vessels such as tugboats, ferries, and charter boats would transport an estimated 500,000 people out of the disaster zone of lower Manhattan to safety in New Jersey and Brooklyn. Many captains continued helping even after that day by providing supplies to workers at Ground Zero. The event highlights New York City's strong connection to its waterways. This resource is related to a PPN podcast titled "Origins."

---

Tags

Focus Areas: CBRNE; Trauma; Violence

Audiences: Emergency Managers; EMS Clinicians

Emergency Management Stage: Response

Keywords: Disasters; New Jersey; New York City; Ships; Terrorism; Transportation; Rescue Work; September 11 Terrorist Attacks; History, 21st Century; Emergencies; Emergency Responders

Institutions: Smithsonian Institution Magazine

---

More like this

The Disaster Information Reference Library (DIRL) 2025 · University of Washington Honoring First Responders on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 2021 · U.S. Department of Commerce National Survey of Institutional Pediatric Disaster Preparedness 2018 · The University of Chicago Medicine, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

---

The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

---