Fundraising underway for families of lost fishermen from Chief William Saulis scallop vessel as search goes on

YARMOUTH, N.S. — As weather-related safety concerns have hampered some search efforts, elsewhere steps have been taken to start collecting donations to support the families of six fishermen following a heartbreaking fishing tragedy in the Bay of Fundy.

The fishermen were members of the crew of the Chief William Saulis scallop dragger, which sank early Tuesday morning, Dec. 15. Onboard were Capt. Charles Roberts and crewmembers Aaron Cogswell, Michael Drake, Daniel Forbes, Geno Francis and Leonard Gabriel.

The Full Bay Scallop Association has been collecting funds from companies, individuals and vessels for the families. As of Dec. 17 it said around $60,000 had been raised with more donations expected. The association said on Monday, Dec. 21, that what initially started as an internal association collection of funds has grown significantly.

The Full Bay Scallop Association and Yarmouth Sea Products have opened an account named “Chief William Saulis Benevolent Fund” with the Coastal Financial Credit Union, supported by the Hood Fraser d’Entremont law firm. Donations can be made to this account at any Credit Union branch across the Atlantic provinces starting Monday, Dec. 21. The disbursement of these funds will be managed by a recognized charitable organization.

In order to simplify the process of donating for many, Alain d’Entremont, the president of the association, says a gofundme fundraiser called the ‘Chief William Saulis Families Fund’ was also begun to give the public the opportunity to show their support.

“After a tremendous outpouring of support and offers of donations for the families of the lost fishermen, the Full Bay Scallop Association, an industry association representing the majority of the members of the Full Bay Scallop fishery, and Yarmouth Sea Products, the owner of the Chief William Saulis, have set up an account to help collect funds for the families benefit,” the page reads. “Any funds collected from this gofundme will be added to that account and will then be provided to the families of these men.”
“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,” the page continues. “While we remain hopeful that the fishermen will be found, we keep the families of those lost in our thoughts.”

“Thank you to all who helped pull this fund together. It means so much to all,” said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood about the effort to raise funds to support the families.

“This past week, 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,” she said. “Let's continue to lift each other up in prayer and kindness.”

Meanwhile, some businesses, organizations and individuals are also running fundraisers to raise money that can be donated to the account to support the families.

Search efforts

In an update on search efforts for the missing fishermen, the RCMP said in a media release issued at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19, that due to weather-related safety concerns a ground search for the missing fishermen was suspended for the day on Friday and also did not occur on Saturday.

The RCMP released this photo taken during an air search on Dec. 18 for the missing fishermen of the Chief William Saulis vessel, which sank on Dec. 15. RCMP PHOTO - Contributed

On Friday, Dec. 18, the RCMP, partnering with Department of Lands and Forestry, searched approximately 20 kilometres of coastline between Hillsburn and Morden via helicopter.

“The search did not locate the missing fishermen, nor debris from the vessel,” said the Dec. 19 RCMP media release.

The body of one of the missing fishermen had been recovered the evening of the Dec. 15 sinking.

“The ground search was suspended yesterday (Dec. 18) and did not occur today due to weather-related safety concerns,” read the RCMP media release. “An assessment of the terrain and the tide both from the air and ground was completed yesterday. All ground searching has been suspended indefinitely as conditions are unsafe."

A ground search had also not occurred on Thursday, Dec. 17, due to a forecasted winter storm.

The RCMP say they are expecting to return to the air with RCMP Air Services on Sunday, Dec. 20, weather permitting.

The RCMP previously stated the ground search zone covers a 55-km stretch of shoreline from Delaps Cove to Margarestville, Annapolis County. At times ice buildup and pounding surf has created dangerous conditions for searchers on the shoreline.

Meanwhile, on Saturday in Yarmouth, grief counselling was being offered to family members from grief recovery specialist Bertha Brennan. Mayor Mood had reached out to Brennan to help provide support to families of the missing. Brennan will also offer grief sessions on Monday as well.

Many people are also still keeping their porch lights on throughout the night at a symbolic beacon to help guide the missing fishermen home.

• Yarmouth heartbroken by fishing tragedy