My objection is not to the choice of model, which I heartily approve. The point of the thread is that what was a unique statement is now being diluted. If every major seaport, say Hamburg and New York, etc., were to have such a statue it would change the message.

New York actually has a related statue. Related, that is, in terms of function. It is located next to Pier A, at the Battery, and shows people being brought from the sea. It relates to that city's maritime tradition and is very powerful.

If other cities were to use the same sort of approach, there will be a beautiful "gallery" of art instead of a continual reworking of one idea.