Bernie Webber, the late US Coast Guardsman, is credited for piloting the boat that is responsible for the "greatest small boat rescue" in the history of his service. He is the hero of the book and movie, The Finest Hours, and is played in the movie by actor Chris Pine.

Michael J. Tougias is a lecturer and best-selling author of 20 books. As a public speaker, Tougias regularly gives one hundred presentations or more per year. His books include The Finest Hours, currently being made into a movie by Disney. He lives in Plymouth, MA.