Jessica DuLong: All Hands On Deck

First Online With Fran · Aug 26, 2026 · 29m

"Many people have the misunderstanding that the boat lift was initiated by the U.S. Coast Guard—that boats only started the evacuation after the Coast Guard called for all available boats. Instead, that call went out nearly two hours after mariners had independently made the choice to help. Rather than coming in to take charge of the evacuation that was already operating successfully, the highest-ranking USCG officer, then-Lt. Michael Day, made the tremendous decision to FACILITATE and support the boat lift that had begun spontaneously. He worked with the Sandy Hook pilots to share knowledge…