Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, First Coast Guard District Commander Rear Adm. Dale G. Gabel, Captain of the Port of New York Robert O’Brien and President and Chief Executive Officer of New York Waterway Arthur E. Imperatore Sr., will be in attendance at the ceremony. Secretary Napolitano and Adm. Thad Allen will present public service awards and will be available for questions following.
More than 100 Good Samaritan mariners responded to the scene of the crash instantly, demonstrating remarkable preparedness, seamanship and courage while rescuing all 155 people despite near freezing water temperatures. Additionally, they quickly and effectively provided vital staging areas on shore for first responders and survivors.
Who: DHS Secretary, Coast Guard Commandant and New York Waterways President will present awards to Good Samaritan mariners. Several local Members of the United States Congress also plan to attend.
What: An award ceremony to honor the Good Samaritan mariners who responded to the US Airways plane in the Hudson River.
When: 2 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 18, 2009.
Where: New York Waterway terminal at West 39th Street and 12th Ave. in Manhattan, N.Y.
Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Johnson at 212-668-7114.
