Floyd Maxson and Cynthia Ferk Die in New Haven Boating Accident; Coast Guard Confirms Tragic Loss
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A tragic boating accident in New Haven Harbor has claimed the lives of Floyd Maxson, 67, and his partner, Cynthia Ferk, 64, both seasoned aviation professionals with deep roots in the tri-state area and the helicopter flight industry. The couple was pronounced dead Thursday at the scene where their 27-foot Sea Hunt motorboat was discovered by the U.S. Coast Guard, wedged into the west breakwall off the city’s shoreline.
The fatal accident unfolded shortly after the two were last seen dining together Wednesday evening at Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill in the City Point section of New Haven. After Maxson missed a scheduled lunch with his lifelong friend Tom Gessler, concern quickly mounted. Gessler, who had known Maxson since their grade school days in the Bronx, drove to his Stratford home and, upon noticing the absence of his friend’s boat, contacted the Coast Guard.
A search commenced that night. By Thursday morning, the boat was located, but it was too late. The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled both deaths as accidental, attributing the cause to blunt force trauma—likely the result of the vessel striking the breakwall, as confirmed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).
Maxson, remembered by colleagues and friends as a meticulous and gifted pilot, served as a helicopter pilot for Roger Ferris + Partners, a Westport-based architectural firm. His aviation resume spanned decades and states—from flying for the Florida Game Commission and local news outlets to conducting scenic helicopter tours in Hawaii and New York City.
His son, Jason Maxson, shared vivid memories of his father’s precise piloting skills, even recalling moments when Floyd would land helicopters at home during his childhood. “He had so many thousands and thousands of hours of air time,” Jason said. “He was a perfectionist. Safety was always his top priority.”
Ferk, whose LinkedIn profile lists her as an account manager at Helicopter Flight Services, Inc. in New Jersey, was described by friends as professional and passionate about aviation. Though family and friends have not spoken publicly, those who knew her say she brought both warmth and expertise to every interaction.
Gessler, who spoke with deep emotion, said Maxson was “the guy you would call at 2 a.m. to bail you out” and the kind of person “everybody counted on.”
As the Coast Guard and DEEP continue to investigate the exact circumstances of the crash, the community is left mourning the loss of two individuals whose lives were defined by dedication, precision, and an enduring love for flight and one another.
Funeral and memorial service arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.