CATAWBA -- A Miller Ferry captain and three crew members received awards from the U.S. Coast Guard on Friday for pulling four people from the water after their plane crashed near the Lime Kiln dock at South Bass Island Aug. 13.

"They don't wear blue," said Ogden, "but they act like they do."

Ogden went on to thank the men for a job well done.

"They were instrumental in saving four lives that day," said USCG Lt. Justin Westmiller.

Westmiller cited the crew's diligence, rapid response and expert teamwork.

The ferry William Market was docked at about 11:40 a.m. when a 1977 Cessna 210, approaching the Put-in-Bay Airport, lost power. The pilot, Mark Neal, 61, Westland, Mich., pulled up the landing gear and put the plane down about a hundred yards from the ferry.

Rose immediately pulled away from the docks and ordered the crew members forward to help pull people from the water as the plane quickly sank. Ferry passengers captured the dramatic rescue on film.

In addition to a certificate, each crew member received a pin and a special officer's coin.

"It's a military tradition that officers have coins," Ogden said. "There's just a few times we do this, and we hand it over with a handshake."

Ogden slipped each man his coin with a firm grip.

Johnson, senior deck hand on the William Market, said the rescue was really no big deal.

"It was pretty straightforward," he said. "We got everybody out of the water in about a minute and a half."

Johnson said his coin is going into a safe.

Wise, a deck hand, said his award will hang at home with his Coast Guard license.

He, too, said the event was overblown.

"Contrary to what these folks say," Wise said, "you just react to the situation."

Wise's nonchalant attitude was echoed by others.

"You just do what you have to do and get on with your day," he said.

And that's exactly what the crew did, said Rose.

"No, we didn't take the day off," he said. "It was back to the grind."

According to Rose, the pilot, Neal, called later to thank the captain and his crew.

"He was very grateful," Rose said. "He couldn't say thanks enough times."

Rose said it was the other three men who did the work.

"The crew did a great job," he said.

Even though it was months ago, Rose said, people still mention it.

"Just the other day the FedEx truck driver congratulated me," he said.

Rose said his pin will go on his baseball hat, his award on the wall at home and the coin he'll carry in his pocket.

In October the four received certificates of appreciation from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft.

In addition to the crew members being honored, the William Market also received a certificate.

"We've never done this before," Ogden said.

Jake Market, a student at Oberlin College, was unable to attend the ceremony.

His father, Scott, accepted the awards on his behalf.