Warrior Fisherman | SouthWest Florida seeking a deck boat for disabled veterans
Warrior Fisherman – SouthWest Florida 501(c)(3) president Eugene Breaux said the group that helps disabled veterans fish, is in need of an accessible boat. The organization was created to give veterans opportunities for fishing, fellowship and a peaceful time on the waters of Southwest Florida.
The mission was inspired by a local fisherman named Capt. Terry who used a wheelchair while fishing and helped veterans get out onto the water.
“He built a stable, accessible boat for himself, and when he learned veterans needed help getting out to fish, he began taking them out on the water,” Breaux said.
Veterans could now sit safely, in the chairs Capt. Terry had on the boat’s wide deck. Those with wheelchairs or walkers had a much easier time than they would on a smaller rocking boat, Breaux explained. This was accomplished with the idea that some veterans now had trouble getting on or off regular ordinary sized boats.
The organization has made 46 trips in the last two years, he said. A 19-foot deck boat was purchased with the intention of improving it over time.
“A lot has happened in the last five years to this organization. We’ve had our ups and downs. We’re still struggling, but we are still taking veterans out on the water. They can’t get on a rocking, speeding boat, which most of these charter captains have. We need a deck boat, so that the veterans that can’t go on a regular boat can fish with us on our trips like they used to,” Breaux said.
The organization is still looking for donations of marine plywood, fiberglass materials, hardware, stainless steel bathroom, marine equipment, trailer parts and volunteers with boat building skills.
To contact Breaux directly, please call (305) 582-4978.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC, please email pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com