Help Commercial Fisherman Matt Liso Get Back to Work

The Liso family sends their deepest gratitude for everyone's generous contributions; They are extremely appreciative of the help that these funds will provide as Matt gets on the path forward!

On Tuesday, July 23rd, tragedy struck for Matt Liso, a dedicated commercial fisherman whose boat ran aground on the backside of Santa Rosa Island. For Matt, fishing isn't just a job - It's his life's passion. He's poured his heart, soul, and countless hours into this industry and his vessel.

When the F/V Never Satisfied struck the island, Matt called Mayday on the radio and was able to be rescued by a fellow fisherman, Greg Olsen, on the F/V 4th Watch, who dropped what he was doing and immediately drove from seven miles away to retrieve Matt. Due to the growing swell and the boat taking on water, Matt was forced to put on a life vest, jump in, and swim to meet Greg's deckhand on a kayak who paddled in closer to pick him up from the rough waters near his boat.

The most important thing is that Matt is safe, though now as we are quickly approaching lobster season this fall, Matt now faces uncertainty and a daunting array of operational bills exacerbated by insurance challenges. The road ahead for Matt and his family is steep, but with your support, we can ensure they come out successfully on the other side of this tragic accident.

Your generosity will make a profound impact during this difficult time, helping Matt, his wife (Natasha), and their two small children (Walker age 7 and Elliott age 4) navigate this unexpected chapter and keep his connection to the sea alive.

For context, my name is Ava and I have crewed on and off for Matt the past two years. Prior to deckhanding for Matt, I worked in the tech space with his wife Natasha; Their family means a lot to me and I know first-hand how legitimate Matt's passion is for his job. He is a great captain who I have always enjoyed working for; A true steward of the sea who always goes out of his way to pick up balloons and other trash when spotted. I was supposed to be on this trip but couldn't go due to a prior commitment for another job and it breaks my heart to see what's happened and how difficult this journey ahead will be for Matt and his family. On our trip to Rosa just last week, I thought to myself how sweet the drawings and artwork his kids had made him for the boat were as they were strung about the cabin - You can imagine his children are not only fraught with worry about their father's wellbeing, but are also equally devastated by the loss of the boat and the sentimental value they held to it.

The funds raised here will go directly towards Matt's ability to lease a boat for this upcoming lobster season so he can have an income to support his family while the F/V Never Satisfied is either recuperated or a new vessel is built (TBD).

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign to rally support; On behalf of our entire commercial fishing fleet, thank you for standing with us as we support one of our own in preserving his cherished livelihood and lifelong dedication to feeding people through commercial fishing. Every contribution counts, no matter the size - It all adds up to make a difference.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ava Schulenberg