Tom Hanks narrates the Story of the Largest Boatlift in History
12-Minute Short Documentary
On September 11, 2001, at the direction of the Coast Guard, a group of everyday citizens worked together to accomplish the largest sea evacuation in history. Half a million people were transported in a stretch of nine hours. It was a monumental feat that eclipsed the 339,000 soldiers that were evacuated from Dunkirk during World War II over a span of nine days.
The National Coast Guard Museum Association recently held a virtual event entitled Stories That Matter – 15th Anniversary: The Coast Guard Response to Katrina featuring ADM Thad Allen, USCG (Ret.), CAPT Bruce Jones, USCG (Ret.) and Scott Cooper of Crescent Towing, hosted by Chief Petty Officer Phil Null, of the They Had to Go Out podcast. We’re excited to share the recording of this event with you. Please click the preview above to watch and share with your friends and colleagues.
Our panelists shared incredible stories of response and recovery efforts in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, a devastating storm after which the Coast Guard rescued more than 33,500 people. From daring helicopter rescues in the dead of night, to utilizing barges as triage stations, these stories demonstrated the leadership, bravery, innovation and heroism of the men and women of the Coast Guard and its partners.
