Tag Archives: commercial fisherman

Commercial Fisherman Michael Alan Doyle of Wakefield, R.I. has passed away

Michael Alan Doyle, 64, of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 22, 2022 surrounded by his adoring family. Mike loved and respected the ocean with a deep passion. He started lobstering as an early teenager and began fishing commercially soon after. Mike was the proud owner of the F/V Seafarer and the F/V Charlie’s Pride for over 30 years, leaving behind his friend and Captain Scott Smith. His family knows he is happy to be reunited with his best friend and Captain Charlie Niles. Mike Doyle was the salt of the Earth. He was a kindhearted, loyal, and selfless man. He built a longer table instead of a higher fence. There was always room for everyone at Mike’s table and in his enormous heart. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mike’s name to the Point Judith Fisherman’s Scholarship Fund: PO Box 386, Narragansett, RI, 02882. >click to read< 07:30

Tullus Gordon remembered for contributions to fishing and construction industries

Tullus Gordon, a longtime Seattle-area general contractor, died Dec. 29 at the age of 95. A celebration of his life will be held next month in Ballard. Gordon operated Tullus Gordon Construction for 40 years.  After WWII, he joined his brother in the commercial fishing industry. During this time, from 1947 to 1956, he fished up and down the West Coast, from Alaska to California. He later developed the power warping crab block, which helped revolutionize the fishing industry, according to his son. Todd said his dad transitioned from fishing to construction after Tullus was swept overboard while fishing in a storm off the Oregon coast and nearly died. That’s when Tullus’ first wife, Millie Vermillion, gave him the ultimatum “It’s either fishing or family,” according to Todd. >click to read< 18:26

Commercial Fisherman Clifford M. Sambrook, Jr., of Narragansett, R.I. has passed away

Clifford M. Sambrook, Jr., 66, of Narragansett, passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. Born in Derby, CT, he was the son of Harriet E. Sambrook and the late Clifford M. Sambrook, Sr. Besides his mother, he is survived by his partner Susan Chandler of Narragansett RI, and his two sons Kenneth Sambrook of Georgetown TX and Clifford and Elizabeth Sambrook of Boynton Beach FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, May 7th, 2022, at 10 AM in St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 864 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett. Military Honors will follow. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Clifford’s memory may be made to The Point Judith Fisherman’s Memorial Foundation, Attention Kathryn Manning Butler (Treasurer PJFMF), PO BOX 3315, Narragansett RI. 02882. >click to read< 12:12

Commercial Fisherman Gary Haynes of Ketchikan, Alaska has passed away

Gary Lin Haynes was born to Joyce and Ole Haynes October 12, 1954 in Ketchikan, Alaska. He was the third of three boys. Gary was born into a commercial fishing family. He and his brothers went out with their dad from a young age. It truly was his passion and he never wanted to do anything else. He married his high school sweetheart, Liz on March 22, 1975. They soon had three children, Amber, Ole, and Brad. All of his children would later fish with him. His daughter worked with him for 22 years. The boys both broke off on their own earlier and currently have their own boats and operations. Gary commercially fished salmon, halibut, black cod, herring and would later pack geo ducks and sea cucumbers. >click to read< 15:32

Commercial fisherman medevac’d 50 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina

The Coast Guard medevac’d a man Wednesday aboard the fishing vessel F/V Crystal C, 50 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina. A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew transferred John Gary Modin to awaiting emergency medical services at Air Facility Charleston. EMS transported him to the Medical University of South Carolina for further medical care. >click to read< 18:30

Commercial Fisherman Peter Buompensiero of San Diego has passed away

Peter Buompensiero passed away peacefully in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 2nd, 2021. Peter was one of three children and the oldest son of John Buompensiero and Nina Venezia Buompensiero. Peter grew up in San Diego’s Little Italy. He loved to go down to his dad’s small fishing boat, the F/V Rosalia Madre and developed a love for the sea. He spent many years as a cook in the United States tuna fleet. He worked with Champ Brenha on the F/V Viking, with Frank Souza on the bait boat F/V Mary S, with George Souza on the seiners F/V Lusitania and F/V Mary S, and with Joe Finete on the M/V Jeanette Diana. In his later years, Pete worked with his long-time shipmate and cousin Joe Anfuso on the F/V Acoustic Explorer before retiring and relocating to Las Vegas. >click to read< 12:55

Barry A. Nelson – The Sea Captain boarded his Vessel for his final Voyage after his last set.

He was born in Oakland, California to Clarence and Virginia Nelson.  He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Peg (Margaret) Nelson. His career spanned yacht clubs, his and Peg’s deeply beloved sailboat, Pathfinder, his own yacht maintenance and repair business, fisheries wholesale and retail at Peg’s Fish Market, their own fishing vessels – the F/V JJ, the F/V Atlas, and the F/V Mystic. Barry and his beloved wife, Peg touched many lives and dedicated much of their lives in service to the commercial fishing industry. Although they did not have children of their own, many have felt they simply adopted the West Coast.  Their regard and respect for the hard-working men and women of the West Coast ran deep, Barry served as a Director to the WFOA (Western Fishboat Owner’s Association), was an Oregon Salmon Commissioner for 25 years, as well as a Port Commissioner for Wichester Bay, >click to read< 21;32

Commercial Fisherman William Van Druten, Jr. of Frisco, NC has passed away

Bill was born in Passaic, NJ on March 11, 1942 to William and Trina Van Druten.  His life was driven by his love for the sea. The depth of his life was immense; from playing basketball at Rider College, to pursuing his career as an educator, and ultimately moving to Frisco, NC to achieve his lifelong dream of being a commercial fisherman.  It is the sea that called to him throughout his life and he instilled a love for it in so many.  Realizing this dream was one of many pearls in his life.  Being known as “Tall Bill” in the fishing community delighted him and brought him great contentment. >click to read< 10:40

Commercial Fisherman Captain Jason Ian Nevel of Ohio has passed away

Jason came into this life on November 19, 1977, in Hamilton, Ohio. As early as age 6 he was drawing pictures of fish and boats and said he wanted to be a fisherman when he grew up.  He became a crewmember on a commercial fishing boat and over the years worked his way up and passed the test to obtain his Commercial Captain License, something he was very proud of. Like most commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, Captain Jason worked hard and played hard. In the past couple of years, he returned to Hamilton but would travel back to Florida to work on fishing boats. He was at home on the ocean, he said that is where he found peace and tranquility. >click to read< 11:09

Beloved NJ Fisherman Dies Suddenly From ‘Massive’ Brain Bleed

Beloved New Jersey native and local fisherman Eric Charles Kelly died from a “massive” brain bleed on Friday, March 11. He was 24. Kelly was passionate about his work as a commercial fisherman. He started as a clammer on the Melissa K. and then worked his way up to scalloping for Cold Spring Fish and Supply Co. (Lobster House), according to his obituary. Kelly also enjoyed antiques and motorsports, especially his cherished 1988 Blazer. >click to read<, Read Eric’s obituary >here< 10:12

F/V Mucktown Girl: TSB weighing what steps they will take next, including opening an investigation

The F/V Mucktown Girl halibut boat went down off the coast of Canso, N.S., on Sunday. Four of its five crew members were rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard, but the fifth man fell off a life raft as the crew was being transferred to a coast guard vessel around 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The fisherman, Jeremy Hart of Windsor Junction, N.S., was eventually pulled out after spending five hours in the ocean but died in a hospital on Sunday. Board spokesperson Chris Krepski said Tuesday the TSB has been notified of the situation and is assessing what the next steps will be. >click to read<  22:17

Sister confirms death of fisherman who spent five hours in waters off eastern Nova Scotia

A commercial fisherman who was lifted from the ocean after spending five hours in frigid waters off eastern Nova Scotia has died, a family member confirmed Monday. In an interview, Alana Lewis said her brother, 35-year-old Jeremy Hart of Windsor Junction, N.S., died at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday after being found by a rescue team. “When they found him he was unresponsive, but at that point they still had hope that they could save him,” Lewis said. “But they were unable to get his core temperature back up and he passed away.” She said an autopsy was being conducted Monday, adding that Hart had only joined the crew of the halibut fishing vessel F/V Mucktown Girl last Thursday. >click to read<  15:14

Retired Commercial Fisherman/Dr. Roland August Hublou has passed away in Everett

Dr. Roland Hublou, 88, known affectionately by his many friends as “Doc” and “Hub”, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2022 in Everett, Washington. Roland was born on October 6, 1933 to his parents, Francis and Blanche Hublou, in Minot, North Dakota. Roland was an excellent dentist, practicing at the Everett Medical Dental Building until his retirement in 1997. Roland’s other love was fishing, which led him to his second career in the commercial fishing industry. He was an active and successful commercial fisherman with his sons, from 1973-2007, building three commercial gillnetters over the years; “Persistence”, the “Eagle Jack” and his final boat, “Doc’s Eagle”. He was elected President of the Puget Sound Gillnetters Association in 1980, and spent many years in all aspects of the fishing industry,,, >click to read< 21:35

Stephen W. Walima of Rockport, Mass, has passed away

Stephen W. Walima, 62, of Rockport, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022, following a brief illness. Born in Gloucester, son of Ann S. (Budnovitch) Walima and the late William W. Walima. He was a graduate of Rockport High School, class of 1977. He later graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Steve worked for many years as a commercial fisherman on various boats out of Rockport and Gloucester and loved tuna fishing too. He was predeceased by his father, William W. Walima; and his pug, Bart who was his best buddy. >click to read< 09:21

North Carolina: Decision on gill nets delayed, officials say more information is needed

No decision was made Thursday by the Marine Fisheries Commission on whether or not large mesh gill nets will be allowed in North Carolina. The decision was delayed because board members said they want more information. Commissioners are torn about two things, if these nets should be used above ferry lines and whether they should be phased out of southern flounder fishing. For many fishermen like Jerry Schill, commercial fishing with large mesh gill nets have been a way of life. He doesn’t want them to be banned. Video, >click to read<  08:41

Overboard California Fisherman Swims Five Hours to Safety

After being thrown overboard, and as he watched his boat drift away from him, a fisherman knew that his only chance of survival was to swim his way out. “I looked up at the sky and I was like ‘Really?!’” he said. “Like really, this is how I’m going to die.” He began to think about his family: his wife their two little girls and their older son and motivated himself to keep swimming. “There was a lot of the drive,” said Thompson. “Just thinking ‘Oh my god, they’re going to grow up without me.” Video, >click to read< 10:05

Sole survivor of Galway Bay fishing tragedy among those feared drowned off Newfoundland

One of the fisherman feared dead when a Spanish fishing vessel sank off the Newfoundland coast earlier this week was the sole survivor of another maritime tragedy in Galway Bay over two decades ago. In October 2000, Ricardo Arias Garcia, a native of Marin in Spain, was plucked from the Skerd Rocks in outer Galway Bay by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter operating from Shannon. Last Tuesday, he was one of 24 crew on board the trawler Villa de Pitanxo when it sank 280 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in rough seas. Named by Spanish media as one of the fatalities, Mr Arias Garcia lost all of his fellow crewmates when the F/V Arosa sank in a storm off Galway Bay on October 3, 2000. >click to read< 11:06

California Fisherman Survives Harrowing 5-Hour Swim After Falling Overboard

Scott Thompson, a commercial fisherman, took his boat out on the Santa Barbara Channel around 5 p.m. on Jan. 26. Five hours of swimming later, he wound up on an oil platform with no boat. On his way back, he stood up on the side of the boat but rough waters took hold of the vessel. Thompson lost his balance and fell. That left him stranded in the water and watching his boat drift away. He attempted to swim and catch up to it but was unsuccessful. Eventually, around 10 p.m., Thompson found his way to oil Platform Gail. >click to read< 20:16

Video: Commercial fisherman medevac’d 58 miles southeast of Nantucket, Mass

The Coast Guard conducted a medevac of a fisherman 58 miles southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, Wednesday. Coast Guard Sector Southeast New England watchstanders received a notification from the fishing vessel F/V Jean Marie, reporting that a crewmember was having trouble breathing, and were requesting assistance.  Video, >click to read< 09:38

WWII Veteran, Commercial Fisherman Stanley J. Dykovitz of Southampton has passed away

Born on Christmas Eve 1921 to parents Stanley and Sophie Dykovitz, Stanley was raised in East Marion. He graduated from Greenport High School and liked to tell people he attended “Corn Cob College.” He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran and could vividly recall stories of his time in the Seabees during World War II (or as he called it, “The Big One”). He was a commercial lobsterman on his boat, the F/V Hazel E out of Montauk. He transitioned to conch fishing on the F/V Miss Stephanie in the Peconic Bay, though he was always a lobsterman at heart. >click to read< 16:43

Commercial Fisherman Dusten William Abbott of Manteo, N.C, has passed away

Dusten William Abbott, 40, of Manteo, N,C, passed away suddenly Thursday, January 27, 2022. Dusten was born September 30, 1981 in Edenton, NC. He was the son of Ray Abbott, Sr. and Michelle Congleton. Dusten had great love for being on the water. He grew up beach fishing with the whole family. Dusten’s love of fishing led him to become a commercial fisherman. He did everything from long lining to working on trawl boats. But most of all, he was always ready to go shrimping, which he enjoyed tremendously. Dusten had a heart of gold. >click to read< 17:14

Lifelong Waterman Thomas Edward Haddaway, Sr. has passed away

Our hearts are breaking as we mourn the passing of Thomas Edward Haddaway, Sr. Born in Tilghman on Aug. 17, 1941 to Frances and Edward Haddaway, Tommy was the backbone and strength of his family,,, A lifelong waterman, Tommy loved nothing better than to be on the water in his workboat crabbing, tonging or fishing. After “retiring” he totally looked forward to steering the boat for his son, T, while they were patent tonging. He enjoyed cutting up and carrying on with his watermen friends and adding to the many tall tales and delightful stories that were often heard at Fairbank Tackle. >click to read< 09:20

Commercial Fisherman Benjamin Eric Boyok has passed away

Benjamin Eric Boyok set sail for the last time on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, in Cloverdale.  Benjamin was born July 7, 1978, to Philip (Otis) Boyok and Paula (Parmelee) Boyok. He attended East High School in Sioux City. He then moved to Oregon and worked as a commercial fisherman in the Bering Sea for over 20 years where he was well respected by his peers. He was the loving and devoted father of his son George and daughter Otilja. >click to read< 19: 47

Ryan Phillips, sparking welds for fishermen and mariners

Ryan Phillips always knew he wanted to be his own boss when he grew up. Originally from the Sunshine Coast, Phillips was raised and immersed in the family business, now he runs his own welding workshop in Port Edward. His father, a commercial fisherman, would regularly take his sons out to sea. Phillips’s new customer base knew he was a commercial fisherman and had confidence in what he was doing. “I’ve prawn fished. I’ve halibut fished. I’ve tuna fished. I’ve salmon fished, long-line and crab fished,” he said, also adding shrimp fishing to his list of work. “If you’ve done all the fisheries, you get to learn how a boat should be set up for every fishery.” “When you do that, you know how a boat has to be, and that’s why I immediately did well here.” Great story! >click to read< 14:41

Commercial Fisherman Timothy J. Moore of Homer, Alaska, has passed away

Timothy J. Moore, age 65, of Homer, Alaska, passed peacefully from this world into the loving arms of Jesus, the Great Fisher of Men on Dec. 2, 2021. After his family, Tim enjoyed hunting and sport fishing, but commercial fishing was his passion. his first fishing experience was set netting for salmon on his Uncle Pat McElroy’s sites as a skinny 13-year-old during a summer visit to Alaska in 1967. In 1991 the acquisition of the F/V Iliamna Bay allowed him to expand his herring fisheries to include Togiak and to participate in the halibut fishery during those crazy “derby” days before IFQs. The F/V Iliamna Bay was also the beginning of his Prince William Sound salmon seining career where he made many memories fishing with the family and some amazing crew. >click to read< 15:19

My Friend’s Stage IV Cancer Diagnosis Showed His Remarkable Strength

Tom Hoxsie, captain of the fishing vessel North Star, sat cross-legged beside a woodstove in his toolshed. It was late February in coastal Rhode Island, gray inside and out,,, The last phase of his life had begun in pain and misjudgment. Tom was used to discomfort; his hands were a mass of calluses and scars; he labored in an industry of endless punctures, cuts, and strains, where the mentality is to wrap a wound in electrical tape and get back to it.,, This meant cancer crept up on a man with high tolerances for hardship and pain. He had had a chronic cough since at least early 2018, But that summer, he delayed getting a chest X-ray because, in the inshore fishing business around here, the warmer months are when a commercial fishing operation makes much of its money. “We were working,”,,, >click to read< 15:41

Commercial Fisherman Michael F. Champlin, of Narragansett, R.I. has passed away

Michael F. Champlin 70, of Narragansett, passed away on Thursday, November 18th, 2021 at home. Mike was a Commercial Fisherman for many years and retired from the Bait Company in 2015 after 20 years of dedicated attention and care. Michael had the “old school” work ethic, get the job done and get it right. >click to read< – The Funeral Service will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Pt. Judith Fishermen’s Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 386, Narragansett, RI 02882 or Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, 249 Roosevelt Ave, S uite 201 Pawtucket, RI 02860 12;48

‘Not work, it’s a passion’: Commercial fisherman Santo La Macchia still hooked at 101

Australia’s oldest commercial fisherman, and his son, “Young Bobbie”, planned to have left their mooring in Avalon’s Careel Bay about 1pm on Monday, pointing their 70-year-old trawler Joyce towards the prime squid fishing waters off Patonga on the Central Coast.,, “We like to do the afternoon shift,” explains “Young Bobbie” (to distinguish him from Santo’s late father who started the fishing dynasty in 1924). “Young Bobbie” joined his father on Joyce in 1972, and now trawler, licence and trading company are in his name. So which of them is skipper? “He is,” says Santo, pointing at his son. “But sometimes, when he does something wrong, I’m the skipper.” >click to read< 07:50

Fishermen feel “railroaded” – Standoff at sea sours fishermen, US Wind relations

After an on the water standoff between commercial fisherman Jimmy Hahn and a US Wind survey boat, Rep. Andy Harris met with area fisherman to discuss encroachment into fishing areas. The closed meeting Wednesday, also attended by state Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, included more than 12 fishermen primarily from Ocean City,, “If these wind mills are allowed to be placed out here, we’re out of business. You’ll no longer see any fresh seafood coming into Ocean City,” Hahn said.,, “It means a great deal having Rep. Harris listen,” he said. “You have to have someone to speak up. We’re just getting railroaded and we don’t have any say at all.” >click to read< 14:50

Watermen Meet Elected Reps Over Conflict – Conch Pots Destroyed By Offshore Wind Farm Survey Vessel

Last week, a US Wind vessel surveying offshore was outside the designated lease area and ran through a setup of conch pots and destroyed some of the commercial vessel’s equipment. Captain Jimmy Hahn, whose conch pots were destroyed, briefly confronted the survey boat Emma McCall,,, US Wind representatives explained how the survey vessel was out of the lease area and ran over the pots accidentally. For his part, Hahn believes the incident was a symptom of a much larger issue that is only going to get worse. Last week’s incident has captured the attention of the area’s elected officials. On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Andy Harris and Senator Mary Beth Carozza held a closed-door meeting with local watermen.>click to read< 12:30