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Keep the Georgesons Afloat



Around 9:30pm August 30, 2018 Captain Peter heard the search call for 3 children and their father.  Without hesitation, Captain Peter headed directly to join the search team of about 10 boats to find the missing family whose kayak capsized late that afternoon.   The search continued through the night until about 2 am when a storm came up from the south.  Suddenly visibility got low and the waves heightened.  The 22' foot Boston Whaler struck rocks knocking the captain out and sending the boat on end.


When Captain Peter came to, he was on the bottom of the capsized boat, concussed and uncertain of where he was.  Freezing, he made it to shore and huddled into rocks for the night. In the morning he recovered an emergency blanket and his handheld radio that floated to shore.  He was able to get a call out and was rescued by the DNR later that morning.  After the last little girl of the missing family was recovered, Captain Peter was returned to his own worried family.



Most of the boat was recovered over the following days when the seas calmed down.  With just liability insurance it is a total loss that we have spent the last 7 years building.   We financed a new motor for the boat in which a little over half is still owed.   Each year we make enough money to keep doing what we do year after year, but also have to work 2-3 other jobs to make the bills . With a toddler and expecting twins in November we have downsized from 2 captains to one which was already making our finances tight. Now with our boat gone it will be a real struggle to keep our operations  going.




We appreciate all the recovery efforts from friends and family and especially the Coast Guard, DNR, and Tow Boat US.  We are asking for donations to help in any way you can.

Unfortunately only the mother of the family of 5 survived the kayaking incident.  Even though they were prepared with an emergency bag and life jackets, few people can survive the freezing temperatures of Lake Superior.  Funding will be used to help with the existing loan on the boat, to raise awareness of the dangers of Lake Superior through signage and a VHF loaner program, as well as contributing to the memorial of those lives lost on the lake that day.

Ours and Prays go out to the family and friends of the victims in this incident.  Words cannot express what a devastating loss this is.

---Captain Ashley Georgeson
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Donations 

  • Angela Canellos
    • $100 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Ashley Georgeson
Organizer
Bayfield, WI

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