Following heavy rainfall, an electrical failure caused Gail Force to flood and sink. In a matter of hours, the lobster boat Paul relied on to provide for our family was gone.

Paul is a third generation lobsterman. In Marblehead, fishing is more than a job. It is part of the town’s history and a legacy our family has proudly carried for generations.

For years, Paul has worked side by side with his father, Jack Burns, a well known and respected fisherman. Together, this father and son duo have spent countless mornings on the water, with Jack passing down the knowledge, values, and traditions that have shaped generations of Burns fishermen. Owning Gail Force was more than Paul’s dream. It was the next chapter in a family legacy built through hard work, perseverance, and a deep love for the sea.

As a fisherman’s wife, I’ve learned that life on the water comes with uncertainty. You watch the weather, prepare for the unexpected, and hope each day brings everyone home safely. We always believed the greatest risks came from the ocean.

We never imagined heavy rain would wash our dream away.

To many, it may be just a lobster boat. To us, Gail Force was our livelihood, our future, and the continuation of a three generation family tradition.

Because Gail Force was Paul’s first lobster boat and the beginning of building his own business, she was not insured for this type of loss. We never imagined something we worked so hard to build could disappear overnight.

Without a lobster boat, Paul cannot fish. Without fishing, our family’s primary source of income has been taken away.

We are asking for help from our family, friends, neighbors, fellow fishermen, and everyone willing to help us rebuild. Donations will go directly toward purchasing a replacement used lobster boat and the essential equipment Paul needs to return to the water.