NEW YORK, N.Y.—Sixteen years ago today, a quick-thinking crew of NY Waterway ferries performed what is considered the most successful marine rescue in aviation history. On Jan. 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency landing on the Hudson River, with all 155 passengers and crew surviving—143 of them pulled from icy waters by NY Waterway crews in just minutes.
An additional 12 passengers were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and the New York City Fire Department. The seamless coordination and instant response of the rescuers made headlines worldwide and solidified this event as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
“This rescue is a true testament to the training and professionalism of our captains and crews,” said NY Waterway President and CEO Armand Pohan in a statement shared with Pascack Press. “We will always be proud of the role we played in the rescue and delighted that everyone got back on land safely that day.”
Heroism on the Water
A total of 14 NY Waterway ferries responded to the crash, which occurred near 42nd Street. Seven ferries played a pivotal role in removing passengers, who were taken to triage centers set up at ferry terminals at West 39th Street in Manhattan and Port Imperial in Weehawken. There, ferry staff provided warmth and support, even giving their coats to passengers drenched from the 30-degree water.
Among the heroic crews were:
- Captain Vincent Lombardi of the Thomas Jefferson, who, with deckhands Hector Rabanes and Wilfredo Rivera, rescued 56 passengers within minutes.
- Captain Brittany Catanzaro and her crew aboard the Gov. Thomas Kean, who saved 24 lives.
- Captain Manny Liba on the Moira Smith, who rescued 14 passengers.
- Captain Vincent LuCante on the Yogi Berra and Captain Michael Starr, who jointly saved 22 passengers, including two babies.
“When we see something like this, we don’t think. We just react,” said Alan Warren, NY Waterway’s Vice President of Ferry Operations.
Experts credit the survival of all aboard Flight 1549 to the swift action of ferry crews, whose rigorous training prepared them for such emergencies. Without their immediate response, many could have succumbed to hypothermia in the frigid waters.
A Legacy of Service
This wasn’t the first time NY Waterway crews proved their mettle. On Sept. 11, 2001, they evacuated 150,000 people from lower Manhattan. In the 2003 blackout, they ferried 160,000 people home. More recently, in December 2022, they rescued over 500 passengers from a Staten Island Ferry disabled by an engine room fire.
The story of the Miracle on the Hudson has been immortalized in film, with ferry crews featured in the 2016 movie Sully, starring Tom Hanks.
Celebrating the Crews
The remarkable effort of NY Waterway ferry crews remains a shining example of dedication and courage. Today, as we honor their actions, we are reminded of their continued commitment to safety and service on the Hudson.
For more about NY Waterway, visit nywaterway.com, or follow them on social media at facebook.com/nywaterway and twitter.com/ridetheferry.