I was on the ferry when this happened. Unfortunately, he didn't fall off the boat, he jumped off the boat. He was outside by the bar area and he took off his jacket and stepped on the first railing. A woman saw him and ran out to grab him to stop him but be jumped before she could get him. She is a real hero and will probably have nightmares about this for the rest of her life. She then ran up to the captain's room and screamed to stop the boat. It was the big ferry so it took about five minutes to turn the boat around and find him. It took another five minutes to remove him from the water. If that woman hadn't seen him, he never would have made it. A nurse was on board and she was wonderful and treated him until we got to the Coast Guard station by Sandy Hook. The marine police were also there - probably 10 people on land. The Seastreak crew and passengers helped move him carefully to land. He was probably in his 70s and looked grey when he was pulled onto the boat. Everyone on the ferry, crew and passengers, were wonderful. The woman who saved him brused it off like it was noting. These are the heros who live among us. Two children around 7 years old were on the boat and I pray that they are not traumatized by this. I hope this man gets the help that he needs and finds a reason to live again. Everyone on that boat was profoundly effected by what happened, grown men were crying - it was horrible.
Blessings to all, stay safe today and try to treasure the life that you have.
