The Big G is a motor launch built for the NYPD Harbor Unit in 1968 by Turecamo Tug in Cohoes, New York. Designed by Philip Rhodes, she was christened Launch 13, and delivered as one of four police launches at that time. She was believed to be the first class with a steel hull and mostly aluminum house. She has been stationed at numerous points around the Harbor including the Willis Avenue Shop on the Harlem River and on City Island.

In the 1970s she was re-christened the Malcolm Maitland, in memory of a former NYCHA Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty. After being retired by the NYPD, she was transferred to the NYC Department of Corrections and stationed at Rikers Island. As Patrol Boat 4, she may also have served at or around Hart Island.

Big G is named for the late William Gottlieb, whose family donated the boat to the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS).

The boat is operated and maintained by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. BIG G is used to stage tours for the media, elected officials and other decisionmakers shaping our region’s waterfront, and for youth education programs to help introduce the next generation of stewards to our region’s bountiful waterfront assets.

- Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance