ISLESBORO – Crew members aboard the Maine State Ferry Margaret Chase Smith rescued a kayaker mid-afternoon, Aug. 25, as she was attempting to make a short crossing from Warren Island to Grindle Point on Islesboro and found herself instead being pushed out into Penobscot Bay in a fierce storm.

Strong southeast winds blowing 21 knots and gusting up to 27 knots had sent her kayak toward open water on a northwest trajectory near the Grindle Point Lighthouse. Her nine-foot kayak – not a sea kayak — was reportedly being swamped and overturned, as witnesses on Grindle Point watched her become increasingly imperiled. 

The incident occurred as the Margaret Chase Smith was pulling out of the ferry pen at Grindle Point on Islesboro and heading on her regular 2:30 p.m. run to Lincolnville Beach. The storm had strengthened during the afternoon; further down the bay at a buoy off of Owls Head, seas were reported at seven feet.

On a calm day, Warren Island is an easy paddle from the ferry landing and parking lot at Grindle Point, but in a southeast storm, conditions can be treacherous.

Christopher Molloy, a mate aboard the marine taxi service vessel Quicksilver, was arriving at Grindle Point to join Captain Sean Farley for a run to Lincolnville Beach. He first noticed people milling around Grindle Point, looking north. Then he saw the Margaret Chase Smith north of the lighthouse, a couple of hundred yards offshore.

At first he thought the ferry itself had lost power and was in distress, but then he noticed ferry crew quickly launching a rescue vessel equipped with an outboard from the Margaret Chase Smith. Two crew members raced to the kayaker and pulled her aboard their lifeboat. They then transported her back to Grindle Point to a waiting ambulance.

Molloy and Farley assisted in the effort, recovering the kayak and the woman’s gear. 

“When we came up to it, it is more than filled up with water,” said Molloy.

The woman appeared to be alright, said Molloy, and first responders were warming her.

The Margaret Chase Smith returned to the Grindle Point ferry pen, along with the rescue boat.

“The amazing thing is how those ferry guys saw what was happening and made a beeline to her,” he said. “They did not hesitate.”

The Islesboro community is likewise appreciative of the ferry crew.

“A huge shoutout to the crew of the Margaret Chase Smith for heroically saving a kayaker who overturned in the water north west of Grindle Point,” said the Islesboro Dept. of Public Safety, on its Facebook page. “Thank you Capt Rod Johnston and crew! Amazing work!”

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657