“Okay, I am in charge.”

Abstract

This chapter recounts how, on September 13 at 8 a.m., the Coast Guard reopened the Port of New York and New Jersey, with significant restrictions in place. Commercial and vessel movements required Coast Guard approval. Vessels were subject to Coast Guard boarding and inspection. Meanwhile, large vessels were subject to further restrictions, including mandated advanced notice of arrival; provision of certified crew lists, including nationality; and other constraints. Anchorages remained closed, and commercial port traffic in general was significantly constricted under these new rules. Similar issues confronted land-based traffic as the Port Authority reopened area bridges and tunnels, as well as the bus terminal on that Thursday. Two days of bridge, tunnel, and road closures into Manhattan led to widespread disruption of commercial deliveries of all sorts. The chapter then considers the stories of the mariners who continued finding ways to offer their services after the waterborne evacuation.