Donations still being accepted to help families
A trust fund set up to assist the families of the crew members of the Chief William Saulis has raised more than $200,000 and people are still being encouraged to contribute to the fund to show their support.
The Chief William Saulis Benevolent Fund Trust was started up by the Full Bay Scallop Association and Yarmouth Sea Products (owners of the vessel) shortly after the scallop dragger sank on Dec. 15 on its way home to port. On board were Captain Charles Roberts, Leonard Gabriel, Aaron Cogswell, Eugene Francis, Dan Forbes and Mike Drake. Only Drake’s body was recovered.
For many weeks the search went on for the fishermen and the vessel. Using side sonar technology the sunken vessel was located on Jan. 16 sitting upright about two kilometres off shore from Delaps Cove, Annapolis County. Because the vessel is deeper than 60 metres (around 200 feet), the RCMP said it was determined it was not safe to send divers down to examine the vessel.
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) is investigating the sinking.
Meanwhile, attention continues to be focused on the families of the crew.
In a media release, the Full Bay Scallop Association and Yarmouth Sea Products say many companies, individuals and vessel owners have contributed to the trust account to help the spouses and dependents of those who died at sea. Money has also been raised through a Go-FundMe page. Those funds are added to the trust account at the Coastal Financial Credit Union. Contributions to the account can be made at any branch of the credit union.
Alain d’Entremont, president of the Full Bay Scallop Association, says there has been no time limit set on how long the account will continue to accept donations.
“Although donations have slowed down, they have continued to come in. There is no target number as there is no amount of money that can replace these men,” he said.
It is hoped the update on the account could lead to renewed public attention and an additional influx of donations.
The trust account was set up to benefit the estates of the deceased fishermen. The interim trustees have provided information to the families outlining some of the expenses that will be covered by the trust. They include:
Funeral expenses incurred beyond the benefits provided by Worker’s Compensation and the Canada Pension Act.
Any legal services required by families to obtain the designation of a person legally authorized to represent the estates of the deceased fishermen.
Remaining funds will be distributed to the estates of the deceased in a fair and equitable fashion.
“We know that family members wish to understand what happened aboard the Chief William Saulis. As owners of the vessel, Yarmouth Sea Products will continue to co-operate fully with investigations carried out by the Transportation Safety Board, the RCMP and other agencies,” reads the latest media release from the company.
D'Entremont, who assists as a spokesperson for the company, says it is his understanding that the responsible regulatory agencies have been in contact with Yarmouth
Sea Products and have been provided with all of the information that the company was able to provide.
“I know that the people I have been communicating with at Yarmouth Sea feel the same as all of us – we all want to better understand what caused this tragedy," he said. "But I think we are also aware of the difficulties of doing so without the vessel or sadly any of the crew that could help tell the story.”
Moving forward, d'Entremont said the Full Bay Scallop Association members have also discussed a sharing of best practices. “We will all, of course, be interested in reading and understanding any TSB report that will come out," he said.