"As for the pilots and crew, they performed superbly and are certainly VALUE FOR MONEY. However to call them heroes is stretching really it rich and fat."
I think you are alone on this statement. I just looked up the definition of hero and I think they made the list. Driving a ferryboat over to pick up the passengers is expected of any boat captain, it is not an option. He would be prosecuted and lose his license if he did not. Yes they were just doing their job but their judgement saved 155 people that day because they did it right.