Captain Pouch Presents before Packed Auditorium

Before a packed auditorium on Wednesday, September 7, Captain Robert H. Pouch kept students on the edge of their seats with his presentation: “September 11, 2001: Response and Rescue on New York Harbor.” Captain Pouch, a first responder to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, was born and raised on Staten Island and is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy. Until his retirement in 2009, Captain Pouch served as the Executive Director and Commissioner of the Board of Commissioners of Pilots of the State of New York.

Captain Pouch served aboard the P/B NEW YORK to communicate and coordinate relief efforts in the hours and days that followed September 11^th. His efforts manifested the largest water-based evacuation anywhere in the world since World War II. For his contributions, Captain Pouch was awarded the USDOT/USCG World Trade Center 9/11/01 First Responders Medal (2004), New York State Conspicuous Service Medal (2007), United States Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal (2008), New York State Board of Commissioners of Pilots Official’s Medal (2009), and the New York State Military Forces Conspicuous Service Medal for Meritorious Service awarded in 2010 (Second Award).

Captain Pouch concluded his presentation with a video describing the superb work of pilots in New York Harbor, many of whom are Maritime graduates. He encouraged follow up conversation, questions, and discussion.

On behalf of the Stephen B. Luce Library, Maritime College, and Regiment of Cadets, we thank Captain Pouch for his extraordinary lecture and his dedication within the maritime community in the face of “America’s greatest tragedy.”

The Stephen B. Luce Library will have Captain Pouch’s original photographs on display in the foyer throughout the month of September. Additional resources are also on display for research on 9/11, terrorism, security, and the maritime community.