Immediately following the accident, the Coast Guard had reported that the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) had rescued one survivor from the Hudson River; however, this report was shown to be incorrect.
In addition to FDNY, six rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station New York, a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, several Coast Guard Auxiliary assets, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), New Jersey State Police, and local emergency services all participated in the rescue effort.
The Red Cross and the New York Harbor Police also assisted in the efforts.
At about 3:00 p.m., Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, addressed questions in a press conference.
Calling the crash "an accident which we do not believe was survivable," Bloomberg announced that the mission was no longer a rescue mission, but rather a recovery mission.

On the night of August 8, 2009, the US Coast Guard maintained a two-mile safety zone from the Holland Tunnel to the Lincoln Tunnel, requiring vessels to move slowly and stay within 400 yards of the Manhattan side while passing through the area.
The safety zone was maintained by the Coast Guard cutter Penobscot Bay.
Immediately following the accident, the Coast Guard had reported that the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) had rescued one survivor from the Hudson River; however, this report was shown to be incorrect. In addition to FDNY, six rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station New York, a Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, several Coast Guard Auxiliary assets, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), New Jersey State Police, and local emergency services all participated in the rescue effort. The Red Cross and the New York Harbor Police also assisted in the efforts. At about 3:00 p.m., Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, addressed questions in a press conference. Calling the crash "an accident which we do not believe was survivable," Bloomberg announced that the mission was no longer a rescue mission, but rather a recovery mission.
On the night of August 8, 2009, the US Coast Guard maintained a two-mile safety zone from the Holland Tunnel to the Lincoln Tunnel, requiring vessels to move slowly and stay within 400 yards of the Manhattan side while passing through the area. The safety zone was maintained by the Coast Guard cutter Penobscot Bay.
2009 Hudson River mid-air collision