Heroic Cross Sound Ferry Crew Saves 5 From Sinking Vessel

NORTH FORK, NY — Five stranded boaters were saved from a sinking vessel by a Cross Sound Ferry captain and crew.

The Wronowski family and Cross Sound Ferry said they wanted to recognize the captain and crew of the Cape Henlopen vessel for their "heroic efforts" in saving the five who were stranded on a capsized and sinking boat in the Long Island Sound on Sunday.

"Once the distressed vessel was spotted, the captain and crew acted expeditiously in launching the onboard rescue boat ... and retrieving those stranded to safety aboard the Cape Henlopen," the ferry service wrote in a social media post. "We are proud of our employees and crew members who have performed remarkably in past rescue efforts."

The captain and crew aboard the Cape Henlopen were Captain Mike Ward, who commandeered the rescue, as well as Brian Watson, Scott Balcom, Gerald Flanders, James Payton, Stephen Godfroy, Nikolaus VonHalem, Jason Lebel and Justin Jarmolowicz.

Speaking with Patch, Ward said the ferry had just left Orient Point Sunday at 8 p.m., the last ferry for the evening, and was headed to New London. In the middle of the Sound by the buoy, he said, "We saw a flashing light that looked a little odd, so we decided to go check it out."

The intermittent strobe light seemed to be coming from a flashlight or a phone, Ward said.

"It was getting pretty dark at that point so we headed in that direction to see if they needed assistance," he said. Ward told his crew to get the rescue boat ready to launch.

Next, the ferry pulled up beside a 20-foot to 25-foot boat that was "made for speed," Ward said. "They were taking on water. There was water down in the stern and the engines were half under the water."

The five onboard, three men and two women in their 20s or 30s, all had life jackets, Ward said.

The crew brought the rescue boat alongside the sinking vessel and lowered a Jason's cradle, a maritime rescue device, over the side. The Jacob's acted like a ladder and the five people climbed aboard the ferry.

"The whole thing took about 15 minutes," he said.

But those 15 minutes changed the lives of all onboard the sinking boat.

"They were forecasting fog from 8 p.m. until 11 a.m. the next morning," Ward said. "A thick fog — that absolutely could have changed the outcome for them."

The sinking vessel ultimately capsized by Fishers Island about 5:30 a.m. the next morning, Ward said. "That whole scenario could have been a lot different," Ward said.

Ward called the U.S. Coast Guard and gave the vessel's position; the USCG sent a vessel.

Ward said the crew also called the Susan Anne, the Cross Sound Ferry's other vessel, to inform them about what was happening. "They were standing by, too, in case we needed additional assistance," Ward said.

Ward said he was glad the crew was able to help. "Due to the sea conditions, everything just went really well. The crew acted phenomenally."

When the five stranded boaters were brought aboard the ferry, the passengers cheered and clapped.

In times of crisis, "everyone in the boating community just rises to the occasion," Ward said.

The Cross Sound Ferry praised the rescue.

"We are very proud of the crew and their heroic effort, " said Stanley Mickus, CSF marketing director."They immediately responded to an emergency situation and successfully rescued the stranded party. Their professionalism and bravery are exemplary."

And it wasn't the first time the crew were heroes: In 2017, CSF employees rescued a 10-year old boy and two others who tried to save him.