 In 1978 USS Little Rock , a retired United States Naval guided missile cruiser on display at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park , began taking on water and listing . Edward M. Cotter and several Buffalo Fire Department fire engines pumped water out of Little Rock for five days keeping the ship afloat and level while repairs were made . Edward M. Cotter also assisted the disabled United States Coast Guard cutter Ojibwa during the winter of 1983 . Ojibwa , while on Lake Erie , had lost her steering and was taking on water . Edward M. Cotter towed Ojibwa to her base in Buffalo and helped keep her afloat while repairs were made . Another rescue occurred on July 31 , 1984 when Edward M. Cotter towed the Polish tall ship Zawisza Czarny off a sand bar during the ship 's visit to Buffalo . 
