The following is a complete transcript of the citation granted to the crew of Ventura by the Chamber of Shipping of America, for which we are most appreciative. I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to the scores of friends, guests of Ventura, and "old shipmates" from New York and around the world who called and e-mailed their concern in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

      Our view from Ground Zero that day will never be forgotten. And I will always, proudly, treasure the image of the harbor's working vessels -- tug boats, dinner boats, "Harbor Charlie" of the NYPD and the US Coast Guard in particular -- charging "into harms way" to help those ashore. We were truly brothers on the water that day, and in the days that followed, and I am proud to be a part of this community.

 

 

SHIP SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT

 

HIGHEST HONORS

 

The United States Maritime Community joins with the

Chamber of Shipping of America

in presenting this

Certificate of Award

 

To The Crew Of

 

VENTURA

 

In recognition of your heroism in responding, with total disregard
for personal safety and under conditions unprecedented in the
history of America, to the humanitarian needs of the citizens of
New York City in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001.  You faced unknown dangers in providing a
lifeline for those stranded on the shores of lower Manhattan — an
extraordinarily courageous endeavor and an awesome
testament to the undaunted spirit of Americans.

This citation testifies to your actions in keeping with the
highest tradition of the sea — aid to those in peril.

Joseph J. Cox
President
Chamber of Shipping, Washington, D.C