Nominations Open For 2026 Lifesavers Recognition Day & Caldwell Heritage Awards

The Egan Maritime Institute and Nantucket Cottage Hospital are now accepting nominations for the 2026 Lifesavers Recognition Day, the annual ceremony honoring individuals and organizations for heroic deeds and significant contributions to the saving of lives on the island. This year's ceremony will be held on Friday, September 11th at the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum.

Held each September 11th in the tradition of Nantucket's lifesaving heritage, the ceremony recognizes the courage and dedication of those who answer the call when lives are at risk. Community members are invited to help identify this year's honorees by submitting nominations in two award categories.

The Lifesaving Award honors any person who rescues, or endeavors to rescue, another person from drowning, shipwreck, or other perils of the water. Eligible rescue attempts must take place in the waters of the Town or County of Nantucket — or, in the case of a Nantucket resident, anywhere within the waters of the United States or subject to its jurisdiction.

The Maurice Gibbs Commendation Award honors any person or organization whose efforts, above and beyond the normal scope of their mission, have made a significant contribution to the saving or preservation of lives — whether for the people of the Town and County of Nantucket or for the people of the United States as a whole.

Nominations for the 2026 ceremony may cover qualifying incidents that occurred between September 1st, 2025, and August 31st, 2026.

Nominations are reviewed by a committee of representatives from the Nantucket Fire Department, the Nantucket Police Department, the Nantucket Harbormaster, U.S. Coast Guard Station Brant Point, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, and the Egan Maritime Institute.

To submit a nomination: Email cbjensen@eganmaritime.org by August 10th.

This year, Egan Maritime will also present its annual Caldwell Heritage Award at the Lifesavers Recognition Day ceremony. The Caldwell Heritage Award is a prestigious community recognition named in memory of Robert Cary Caldwell, the visionary behind the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum. The award celebrates individuals who, like Caldwell, play a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Nantucket's maritime heritage sites, including its lifesaving traditions and narrative history.

Caldwell's legacy had a profound impact. His donation of the land at 158 Polpis Road and his leadership in opening the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum in 1968 led to the establishment of the first museum in America dedicated to honoring volunteer and professional lifesavers. Even after the Egan Maritime Institute acquired the Museum, Caldwell's vision continues to guide the organization — a testament to his enduring influence.

"As an organization, Egan Maritime Institute is committed to ensuring that Nantucket's maritime past continues to be woven into the present," executive director Carlisle Jensen said. "Moving our Caldwell Heritage Award ceremony to September 11th allows us to continue to honor those who are carrying forward Caldwell's legacy."

Nominations for the 2026 Caldwell Heritage Award are now open and due by August 10th. Click here to retrieve a nomination form.