I have regularly watched Deadliest Catch and consider fishing at the Beringsea very dangerous. However it attracts men that hope for (and may need) the big profit involved if enough crab is catched. It is a rough job and the danger of it is rough enough as well. No matter how well prepared and rested one goes at sea, working there is a contiuneing Murphy’s Law event: it will go terribly wrong given only one terrible moment. In the sinking of the Katmai, I understand, a not tightly closed hatch was presumably the cause. I can well understand such a thing can happen. Not even a piece of equipmant colliding with the hatch, even a crew member too tired to administer the hatch not being tighty closed is enough bad luck.

I can vividly remember reading (a few times) Nicholas Monsarrat’s ‘The Cruel Sea’. Seeing ‘A Perfect Storm’ also was very illustrating to what the sea can do. She is a harsh mistress. Every sailor knows that he has to watch his steps. Apart from a few crossings from Denmark to Norway, I can not state to have been at sea, so for what She is capable of I have to use my fantasy. Deadliest Catch has added reality to it.

Like lately so the going lost at sea of most of the crew of the Katmai, is truely very hard on all of their family and friends. Fishing communities are small. One knows one another, even if one has a family in Alabama or Texas.
I wish all that suffer emotional consequences from the perishing of the Katmai the best of help from family and friends and a rested spirit from believe in God. These may still be sad times and I sincerely hope that the survivors from the Katmai (and other vessels lost at sea) can overcome this. Without, eventually, feeling guilty to be the ones that have survived, making it possible to put substance to their ’second’ life, thus giving credit to their unfortunate and dearly missed friends and family lost at sea.

Also we met with a former Katmai fisherman who has been a strong support for me during this last year. He knows how much I love him.

Finally, for the other man who joined us at the Memorial, thank you for your kindness. I only hesitate to mention your name because of your current situation, and I am afraid that I might complicate that. But you know who you are, and we alll appreciated spending time with you.

The Katmai fund will be receiving an influx of funding in the next couple of months. The final amount will be influenced by whether certain people who are in a position to donate do so or not. We welcome donations of any amount and will be releasing a statement from our Board of Directors soon.

Joshua Andrew Leonguerrero 3/3/89-10/22/08

You’ll always be in heart.

The families impacted are welcome to contact us at the address in Helena. We are determined to make this tragedy something positive. Any contributions are very gratefully accepted.

Look soon for our website. We are also encouraging families to submit photos, stories, etc. to be added to our page.

Finally, let me add the some of the captains from the Deadliest Catch have been very supportive of a fund of this type. I don’t feel confortable revealing their level of support unless they approve such an action. Fundraising is under way.

Big E, yep, Cedric was an amazing man. Actually, I believe they all were.

I also want to add that my personal belief is that this needs to be a time of healing as much as we can, and that certainly includes remembering our 4 survivors. I spoke to one of them recently and would be most happy to hear from other survivors or the families of the lost.

Susan

Carlos Martin Zabala 12/09/1977–10/22/2008