Fort Schuyler Magazine Fall 2021

CAMPUS NEWS

CAPT. ERIC JOHANSSON Receives Distinguished Award During 9/11 Boatlift 20 th Anniversary Tribute

commitment and substantial contributions while serving as Vice Chairman of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) from June 4, 2014 to December 4, 2020. Mr. Johansson’s exceptional leadership was essential in the publication of five actionable final reports that informed the Coast Guard on the standardization of shipboard procedures, the development of novel fire prevention and containment measures, and the improvement of operational processes across the Nation’s 7,400 towing vessel fleet. Mr. Johansson’s dedication and superior accomplishments are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

On September 10, Captain Eric Johansson, Distinguished Service Professor, Professor of Marine Transportation, and Chair of the Marine Technology and Operations Department, received the Meritorious Public Service Award during a special ceremony at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customs House in Battery Park City, NY. Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard, personally awarded Captain Johansson a medal and service award citation, which stated, “The Commandant of the United States Coast Guard takes great pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award to Mr. Eric J. Johansson for exception

The ceremony was held as part of the 9/11 Boatlift 20 th Anniversary Tribute presented by the Port of New York and New Jersey, and the New York Council Navy League. This special event was one of many leading up the 20 th anniversary of 9/11. Following the attacks on NYC on 9/11, the maritime community quickly responded to the calls to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people who were unable to leave lower Manhattan due to the closure of bridges and tunnels. A fleet of more than 150 vessels crewed by over 600 mariners coordinated the transport of over 500,000 people to safety, accomplishing the rescue in nine hours, making it the largest boat lift in history.

l-r: Captain Zeita Merchant, USCG, Sector NY Commander; Admiral Karl L. Schultz, USCG, Commandant; Capt. Eric Johansson; RADM Thomas G. Allan Jr., USCG, First District Commander

4 Fall 2021 Fort Schuyler