— Submitted by Washington State Ferries

Last Saturday Sept. 26, the crew of the Tokitae provided assistance to a diver in distress near the Mukilteo terminal. Crew members observed a diver near the vessel struggling to swim and made an immediate decision to lower the rescue boat and provide assistance.

The diver was fighting to swim against the current and could not get back to the beach on her own. The rescue boat reached her within minutes and transported her to shore for medical aid.

Assistant Secretary WSDOT/Ferries Division Lynne Griffith commended Capt. Arno Broekhoven, AB Todd Dussault, AB Joseph Tate and the rest of the crew for their quick action and judgment during this stressful situation that helped avert a potential loss of life.

They certainly deserve the WSF Life Ring award that Chief of Staff Elizabeth Kosa and Port Captain Jay Mooney presented to them earlier this week (see photo below).