Oak Harbor Marina Workers Honored for Rescuing Tenant Who Fell Overboard

When Duncan McPhee heard shouting from the water at the Oak Harbor Marina in January, he didn't hesitate. The maintenance attendant told the man to hang on, then immediately alerted his colleague Dannie Ledgerwood and Harbormaster Alyce Henry. The three stopped what they were doing, ran over, and helped pull out a ladder for the tenant.

The crew then ran him a hot shower and got him in a big coat. Ledgerwood described it as a team effort to get the tenant warm and dry within thirty minutes.

That response was recognized Monday night at an Oak Harbor City Council meeting, where Mayor Ronnie Wright presented Ledgerwood and McPhee with a "We See You" award. "Tonight I am pleased to recognize Dannie Ledgerwood and Duncan McPhee for performing a quick, efficient water rescue for a marina tenant in January," Wright said.

Henry also played a key role, contacting the tenant's spouse to bring him dry clothes, but she did not receive an award because she humbly pointed toward the men for the honor of the rescue, Ledgerwood and McPhee explained.

McPhee noted that the tenant did everything right by clinging to his boat and waiting for the attendants to grab a ladder. "It was exciting to get him out of the water, get him warmed up," Ledgerwood said.

McPhee said he was proud their training was put to good use. The January incident and Tuesday's public recognition together underscore how quickly a dockside routine can turn critical, and how prepared staff at the Oak Harbor Marina were when it did.