Ferry captain helps save woman who went overboard on final day of his 25-year career

SEATTLE — A Washington State Ferries captain and his crew rescued a person who went overboard on the final day of the captain’s 25-year career.

It happened around 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, while the vessel Chimacum was sailing from Bremerton to Seattle.

Captain Tom Tilton, who was set to retire after his shift that day, led a search and rescue for the person.

She was retrieved by crew members in an inflatable rescue boat, according to the Kitsap Sun.

Once the woman was out of the water, the crew and some passengers who had medical training treated her until medics took over at Colman Dock.

Tilton told the Sun the woman is expected to survive.

“We are so thankful for Capt. Tilton and crew for their efforts and all our vessel employees for training and practicing regularly for emergencies!” WSF said on its Facebook page.

©2021 Cox Media Group