Steamship Authority crew recognized for life-saving actions
FALMOUTH (December 11, 2025) – The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority recognized the crew members of the M/V Island Home this week for their extraordinary seamanship as part of a rescue operation in Vineyard Sound on October 13, 2025.
At a joint meeting of the Authority’s Port Council and Board held on December 9, 2025, General Manager Robert B. Davis presented a meritorious citation and award to Capt. Arthur Frostholm. The same recognition will be presented to the following crew members:
- Pilot/Mate Thomas Furtado
- Purser Joseph Graca
- Bosun Michael Pronk
- Able-Bodied Seafarer Daniel Flanagan
- Able-Bodied Seafarer Daniel Marcal
- Able-Bodied Seafarer Nicholas Tew
- Able-Bodied Seafarer Philip Ricardo
- Ordinary Seafarer Dwight McBean
- Ordinary Seafarer Ivanildo Barbosa Delgado
- Chief Engineer Derek Tuttle
- Oiler Danielson Delgado
- Training Captain Andrew Fritsch
Mr. Davis read the following aloud at the meeting:
“On a day when the waters of Vineyard Sound were being pummeled by a nor’easter, winds of 30 knots with higher gusts were creating waves six to eight feet tall and heavy rain was covering the area. As the M/V Island Home crossed the Sound headed to Woods Hole, the bridge crew noticed an object in the water off the vessel’s starboard bow. That object was quickly discovered to be a person in the water.
“The crew immediately enacted the procedures for a person in the water and contacted the United States Coast Guard in Woods Hole. Crew members all reported to their assigned positions, while the vessel’s master turned the vessel around in challenging conditions. Crew members deployed three life rings and attempted to keep visual contact with the person, while others prepared to launch a rescue boat.
“The U.S. Coast Guard was on the scene within 10 minutes, and the M/V Island Home stayed on scene for another 20 minutes to provide the Coast Guard with a lee during their rescue operations. Ultimately, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter arrived on scene and the person was successfully retrieved from the water and safely brought to shore.
“The actions of this crew are a stellar example of the best the Steamship Authority has to offer. Their training and quick actions directly contributed to a positive outcome in a challenging situation.”
Below, General Manager Robert B. Davis (left) presents the citation to Capt. Arthur Frostholm with Chief Operating Officer Mark H. Amundsen (right) looking on.
Since 1960, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has served as the transportation lifeline to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard year round. The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the Islands and offers the most frequent daily departures for passengers, automobiles, groups, and trucks. In 2024, more than 2.9 million passengers and more than 690,000 vehicles of all sizes were transported to and from the Islands. Our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crews are committed to the highest level of safety at sea while our vessels offer comfort and convenience with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and TV on board.