Eight years ago today, US Airways Flight 1549 made an emergency water landing in the Hudson River. If the plane’s pilots, Captain Chesley “Sulley” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles had not glided the plane in at just the right angle and airspeed, it is likely that the plane would have broken apart and that all the 155 passengers and crew aboard could have died. The landing is often called the “Miracle on the Hudson.” There was, however, a second miracle on the Hudson that day. Remarkably, New York harbor commuter ferries began arriving at the flooding plane less than four minutes after the crash. Had it not been for the ferries’ rapid rescue of the passengers from the icy waters, the “miracle” might have ended as tragedy.
The plane’s rear bulkhead had fractured and the plane was rapidly sinking in the river. The water temperature was 36° F (2° C). The air temperature was 20°F (−7 °C). Passengers were standing on both wings, made slick by leaking jet fuel. Other passengers were in emergency rafts attached to the plane. A few passengers were in the water. If help did not arrive immediately, it was likely that many would die from drowning or exposure. Amazingly, NY Waterway’s ferry, Thomas Jefferson, under the command of Captain Vincent Lombardi, arrived at the stricken aircraft 3 minutes and 40 seconds after it hit the water. A second ferry arrived less than a minute later.
The ferry bow boarding ramps were almost 7 feet about the water level, too high for the passengers to easily climb aboard, so the crews lowered nets and ladders as the captains maneuvered their boats next to the sinking plane, in the several knot current in the middle of the Hudson River. Ferry passengers helped the crews distributing life jackets and in hauling passengers from the water.
Soon four other ferries arrived as did a Coast Guard rescue boat and the NYPD scuba team, by helicopter. Amazingly, all 155 people aboard the plane were rescued from the water with only minor injuries. Of the 155, 135 were rescued by harbor ferries.
Captain Sullenberger was the last person off the plane, making sure that no one was left aboard before he got in the one of the rafts. He was rescued by the ferry Athena.
Fantastic article reminding us of the nearest most of us will ever get to learning of a miracle. It seems that everyone acted in an exemplary manner. Of course, “Sully” is the hero, not only for his skill in achieving the impossible, but, as you say, ensuring he was the last to disembark from the stricken plane because he insisted on checking that no one had been left behind. But also credit to the passengers – no one seems to have panicked and acted selfishly in the most desperately of trying conditions. Proud moment for them. Lastly, as you say, all of the Hudson mariners didn’t hesitate to immediately react and go to the sinking vessel pre-empting the efforts of the emergency services. I do hope everyone concerned were recognized appropriately. A day to remember and celebrate with gratitude and admiration. Thank you.