“All Available Boats” Exhibit Now Open at NASW Aviation Museum

CAPE MAY – The centerpiece of this new exhibit reads: “On the morning of September 11, 2001, as the World Trade Center tragedy unfolded, thousands of men and women who were on or near the waters of New York harbor converged in any way possible. Answering the Coast Guard’s radio call for all available boats, hundreds of vessels raced across the Hudson and East Rivers.” Over the course of the day, they helped to evacuate over 300,000 people from Manhattan.
The new exhibit entitled “All Available Boats,” is now open to the public at Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum located at the Cape May Airport. Museum guests can view photos and actually listen to first-hand accounts of individuals who participated in the evacuation of Manhattan. The exhibit, donated to the Aviation Museum by the Cape May Coast Guard Base, tells the story of 9/11 from a unique perspective. The “All Available Boats” exhibit is part of NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum’s expanded area dedicated to the Coast Guard and nearby Training Center Cape May.
NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum boasts over 26 aircraft displays as well as exhibits of military memorabilia, engines, photographs, interactive activities and more. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Don’t forget bring your camera!
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located in Historic Hangar No. 1 at the Cape May Airport, New Jersey. Cape May Airport was formerly Naval Air Station Wildwood, which served as a World War II dive-bomber training center. The museum is dedicated to the 42 airmen who perished while training at Naval Air Station Wildwood between 1943 and 1945.