‘Forever in my memory;’ Mariner recalls historic 9/11 boatlift rescue

ST. JAMES, NC (WWAY-TV) — On one of the darkest days in American history, a story of bravery and sacrifice is sometimes overlooked. After the world trade center attacks on 9/11, thousands fled toward the water surrounding lower Manhattan.

Hundreds of boat operators like Warren Ihde rushed to help evacuate them from the island.

“All the emergency drills we do every month on the boats and all my fellow mariners will tell you…it did not prepare us for nine-eleven.”

Ihde shared his story during a nine eleven remembrance ceremony Thursday at the Homer E. Wright event center in St. James.

“The look of fear on the faces of the people I transported that day will be in my memory forever.”

In just nine hours Ihde’s vessel and the hundreds of other boaters helped rescued 500,000 people from Manhattan

“‘People were covered in dust and were ghostly looking, many were tourists and kept asking ‘where are you taking me and how am I going to get home.'”

Richard and Gretchen Booth attended the ceremony and shared their gratitude after hearing Ihde’s story.

“I had no idea, so very, very interesting, I didn’t know the maritime was so involved.”

The couple’s four children were in Manhattan during the attacks and were relieved when they safely made it out of the city.

“Very meaningful, sad but special day and I love what they do hear to commemorate and remember it every year.”

The remembrance ceremony also featured a fire bell ringing to honor the fallen firefighters, along with music from the seaside singers, taps and bagpipes.