Crowdfunder launched for boat lost in Storm Eunice

A GoFundMe page has been set up for a couple who lost their fishing boat during Storm Eunice.

Chantelle and Peter Williams’ boat Tia Maria broke its mooring and washed aground when the storm hit Emsworth Harbour in Hampshire on the morning of Friday, 18 February.

The couple are awaiting the insurance surveyor’s final report, but describe the damage to the boat as being ‘excessive’.

“The keel has ripped through and off, the boat’s engine and electrics have been underwater, and the prop and rudder are damaged beyond repair. The front end of the boat has gone too,” said Chantelle Williams.

The couple have run Fresh From The Boat, a small business providing locally caught sustainable fresh fish, for over 15 years.

Writing on the GoFundMe page, Chantelle Williams said that they were overwhelmed by the support received from the local community and those donating.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed. We are overwhelmed with your support and truly grateful for making such a big difference. We’ve not only had offers of help via crowdfunding, but also help with the mending of Tia Maria.”

Storm Eunice led to a rare ‘red’ weather warning across parts of Wales and southern and eastern England. A provisional record gust of 122mph was measured on the Isle of Wight.

The GoFundMe page for Chantelle and Peter Williams can be found here.

Another fundraising appeal has been launched for the RNLI, after the storm tore the roof off the lifeboat station at Sennen Cove in Cornwall. That crowdfunder can be found here.

This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.