After the attacks on the World Trade Center towers on 11 September 2001 , the Coast Guard tug , homeported in Bayonne , New Jersey , was the first on scene in New York harbor and acted as On-Scene Commander . '' Adak '' arrived on scene an hour later and took over On-Scene Commander responsibilities . For hours '' Adak '' coordinated the evacuation of civilians , transport of firefighters and rescue personnel , and the establishment of security zones to protect other high valued assets from further attack . For her part in the response to the attacks of September 11 , '' Adak '' received the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award
attacks on the World Trade Center towers
September 11 attacks
USCGC Adak (WPB-1333)