Support for families as search continues
As weather-related safety concerns hampered some of the search effort in recent days, steps were taken to start collecting donations to support the families of six fishermen following a heartbreaking fishing tragedy in the Bay of Fundy last week.
The fishermen were on the Chief William Saulis, a scallop dragger that sank on the morning of Dec. 15. Onboard were Capt. Charles Roberts and crew members Aaron Cogswell, Michael Drake, Dan Forbes, Geno Francis and Leonard Gabriel.
Last week, the Full Bay Scallop Association started collecting funds from companies, individuals and vessels for the families. As of Thursday, around $60,000 had been raised. with more donations expected.
Alain d'entremont, president of the association, also launched a Gofundme campaign titled the Chief William Saulis Families Fund to give the public the opportunity to offer their support. A goal of $60,000 has been set for that Gofundme initiative. As of Sunday, nearly half of that amount had been raised.
The Full Bay Scallop Association and Yarmouth Sea
Products, the company that owned the Chief William Saulis, have set up an account to help collect funds for the families.
“Any funds collected from this Gofundme will be added to that account and will then be provided to the families of these men,” the fundraising page reads.
“The tragic loss of these men has been a crushing blow to members of the industry and the community at large during an already especially brutal 2020 for Nova Scotia. While we remain hopeful that the fishermen will be found, we keep the families of those lost in our thoughts.”
Starting Monday at noon, people can also support the families through a benevolence fund being set up through the Credit Union. The account is called the Chief William Saulis Benevolent Fund and people can donate at any branch of the Credit Union.
The Salvation Army will be
assisting in getting funds to the families.
“Thank you to all who helped pull this fund together. It means so much to all,” Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood said over the weekend in spreading information about the account.
“So many have reached out from across the entire country with condolences for the families, friends and community of the lost fishermen. You've asked how you can donate to help the families. We thank you for caring so deeply. Let's continue to lift each other up in prayer and kindness.”
Some businesses, organizations and individuals are also running fundraisers to raise money to support the families.
SEARCH EFFORTS
The body of one fishermen was recovered on the evening of Dec. 15. In updating search efforts for the missing fishermen over the weekend, RCMP said a ground search of the shoreline was suspended due to weather-related safety concerns.
RCMP searched the coastline by air from a helicopter. As of Sunday morning, that effort had not spotted debris from the vessel, nor any sign of the fishermen.
Meanwhile, on Saturday in Yarmouth, grief counselling was being offered to family members by grief recovery specialist Bertha Brennan.
Mood had reached out to Brennan to help provide support to families of the missing men. Brennan will also offer grief sessions Monday.
Many people in Yarmouth, where most of the crew members are from, are keeping their porch lights on through the night as a symbolic beacon to help guide the missing fishermen home.