[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 130 (Wednesday, August 1, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE COLCHESTER CAUSEWAY BIKE FERRY CREW

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, Vermont is special in large part because of 
the dedication and kindness that Vermonters show to neighbors and 
strangers alike. I would like to recognize a few Vermonters in 
particular who went out of their way to do what needed to be done to 
save the lives of others. On July 6, a number of boaters became 
stranded on the water near the Colchester Causeway Bike Ferry while 
enjoying themselves on Lake Champlain. Luckily for those in distress, 
the crew of the Bike Ferry was nearby, and sprang into action.
  After quickly rescuing four people, Captain Brian Costello, deckhand 
and former coastguardsman Frank Malaki, and captain-in-training Richard 
Schattman were told that there were more people who needed assistance. 
Before long, all those who had been stranded were safe and sound, with 
warm clothes, water, and shelter, thanks to the ferry's crew.
  Anyone who has enjoyed the beauty of our great Lake Champlain knows 
that, in bad weather, its calm, rolling waves can quickly turn 
treacherous. We have always been lucky to have the protection of the 
Coast Guard on the water in times of emergency, but it should hearten 
many to hear that there are also professional, courageous, and selfless 
Vermonters like Captain Costello, Mr. Malaki, and captain-in-training 
Schattman nearby to lend a hand.
  I share the pride of the Coast Guard in this lifesaving effort. I ask 
unanimous consent that the July 19, 2018, article from ``My Champlain 
Valley'' entitled ``Bike-ferry crew recognized by Coast Guard for 
heroic rescue,'' which commemorates the bravery of these men, be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

               [From My Champlain Valley, July 19, 2018]

      Bike Ferry Crew Recognized by Coast Guard for Heroic Rescue

                            (By Devin Bates)

       South Hero, VT.--A crew from the Colchester Causeway Bike 
     Ferry got some special recognition from the U.S. Coast Guard 
     on Thursday for rescuing seven people in Lake Champlain 
     earlier this month.
       Coast Guard officials were so impressed with the crew's 
     work that they came down to the causeway to express their 
     gratitude and thank them for their heroic act.
       The rescue happened the afternoon of July 6. Winds were 
     gusty, reaching 25-30 mph. The ferry crew--Cpt. Brian 
     Costello, former Coast Guardsman and deckhand Frank Malaki 
     and Captain-in-training Richard Schattman--tracked down and 
     rescued four people. Three kayakers--including one in the 
     water--were rescued a short time later.
       All seven of the boaters were wearing life jackets and were 
     unharmed. The crew gave them warm clothes, shelter from the 
     wind and bottled water.
       The rescue occurred just days after 41 year-old Eric Plett 
     of Weehawken, New Jersey, went missing after falling out of 
     his kayak near Shelburne Point. Plett's body was recovered 
     several days later after a search by the Coast Guard and 
     state police.
       ``Any good Vermonter would respond to people in distress, 
     whether it's on the water or on land, and we happened to be 
     the closest,'' Costello said. ``We also happen to have an 
     experienced and trained crew.''
       While the crew members were modest about their efforts, 
     Sector Commander Brian LeFebvre of the U.S. Coast Guard made 
     sure to give them the recognition they deserved.
       ``I applaud the crew, their dedication and selfless service 
     to the boating public, and I am truly thankful for the 
     professional seamanship that you exercised in response to 
     these potentially grave situations,'' LeFebvre said. ``Bravo 
     Zulu for a job extremely well-done, and thank you very 
     much.''
       LeFebvre urged boaters to be safe out on the lake.
       ``Anything can happen at any given time when you're on the 
     water, even when you least expect it,'' LeFebvre said. ``It's 
     always important to be wearing your life jacket, especially 
     if you're on a paddle-craft or in a kayak.''

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