Today, Launch 5 was honored to host Congresswoman Sue Kelly on patrol in the Hudson River. Captain Daniel R. Croce & Commander James L. Munro from the US Coast Guard, Ossining Police Chief Kenneth Donato and Judge Daniel McCarthy were also on board. News 12 Westchester rode with us and aired a great 2 minute spot narrated by Antoinette Biordi.

Launch 5 was invited to participate in the fifth annual Tugboat Roundup in Waterford, NY. After gathering in Albany to form a parade with the other tugs, the parade proceeded North through the Troy (Federal) Lock and on to Waterford where they tied up for festivities and public viewing.

During Fleet Week (May 21st -May 28th, 2003) the U.S. Navy requested the use of Launch 5 as a platform for filming footage for a movie they were producing.

Here are some pictures from the Launch’s first patrol as an official U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Rescue Vessel in New York Harbor!

On Sept 11, 2001, shortly after the buildings fell, myself, Wayne Pichardt, and Jim Picciano were doing security at the George Washington Bridge. We were met by a south-bound pleasure craft, and a passenger in the boat was 24 year old NYPD Police Officer Kevin O'Brien from the 42 Precinct in the Bronx. We advised the boat operator (I found out today the operator was Kevin's father, a Middletown Police Officer) that the Police Officer Kevin O'Brien could be transported to the World Trade Center by us. P.O. O'Brien grabbed his uniform and came underway with myself and Jim Picciano as we headed south-bound on the Hudson River. Wayne went to another boat to continue security at George Washington Bridge.