Flotilla

From the moment I heard on Tuesday that the levee had broken in New Orleans, I had expected someone, be it the Mayor, Governort, someone to ask for volunteers with small boats to come to New Orleans to help evacuate people. I had visions of the British flotilla that evacuated trapped British troops from Dunkirk. During times of crisis, you sometimes have to let people put themselves at risk to help others.

Update
See the comments section for why a private flotilla was impractical.