After the attacks on the World Trade Center towers on 11 September 2001, the Coast Guard tug "Hawser", 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.