The deputy Edgartown harbor master is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after being injured Monday morning when a boat fell on him in an accident at the town highway barn, according to police.

Mike Hathaway was taken to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital with serious injuries, Edgartown police Sgt. Craig Edwards said, after a 19-foot fiberglass boat fell on him. He was later taken by MedFlight to Boston.

Mr. Hathaway's son Christopher Hathaway told the Gazette Wednesday that his father sustained a femur injury and a compression fracture in his spine. He had surgery on his leg on Tuesday and was in the ICU Wednesday night. His sons and his girlfriend have been him at the hospital, Christopher said, and his son Nicholas Hathaway flew with him on the MedFlight to Boston.

Mr. Hathaway, 60, has been with the harbor master's office for about 22 years, Christopher Hathaway said. He is well-known on the Island, especially on the Edgartown waterfront. In 2014 he helped rescue a man from the Edgartown harbor.

Despite the injuries, his son said, Mr. Hathaway was in good spirits and "hasn't changed one bit."

Sergeant Edwards said the accident took place at about 9:45 a.m. when town employees were moving a 19-foot fiberglass boat off a trailer using a front-end loader. The rear of the boat had been blocked, Sergeant Edwards said, and Mr. Hathaway was under the boat blocking it. The front end loader gave way and the boat came down, Sergeant Edwards said, and injured Mr. Hathaway, who was alert and conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the cleat supporting the weight of the boat tore, dropping the boat onto Mr. Hathaway. Gregory Bettencourt and Donald Benefit were on the scene and helped remove Mr. Hathaway from under the boat, police said.

Edgartown fire, police, and EMS responded to the scene and took Mr. Hathaway to the hospital.

Get-well cards can be sent to Mr. Hathaway care of his son Nicholas Hathaway at 257 West Tisbury Road, Edgartown, MA 02539.