The rescued man was flown to Joint Base Cape Cod and later taken to Falmouth Hospital for treatment of cold exposure. Authorities said he did not suffer serious injuries and is expected to recover. His identity has not been released, and officials are still investigating how he ended up in the water.
Early reports suggested the man may have fallen overboard from the ferry, but the Coast Guard later said that was unconfirmed. “It was originally rumored that the person fell overboard the ferry,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Keira Shantry. “At this time, it appears the person was spotted in the water by the ferry, but we do not know how he entered the ocean.”
The quick actions of ferry passengers and crew were credited with helping save the man’s life. Witnesses described a tense scene as strong winds and rain battered the vessel while people tossed life rings and tried to keep eyes on the struggling swimmer. “I saw a father trying to spot him while his son was crying, begging him to come back inside,” passenger Roy Mundy recalled. “It was very intense.”
Falmouth Police praised the coordination among first responders and the public, noting that the joint effort between ferry staff, local departments, and the Coast Guard made the rescue possible despite the dangerous weather.
As the investigation continues, officials emphasized the importance of safety awareness during coastal storms. Monday’s incident, they said, could have ended very differently if not for the quick response of those on board and the precision teamwork of the Coast Guard aircrew.