Honor David Thalman: Help Build Washington Island’s Water Rescue Future

Washington Island has been part of David Thalman’s family story for four generations. His family has long owned property on the island, and David grew up visiting, making memories, and developing a deep connection to this special community and the waters surrounding it.

On August 1, 2026, David’s life was tragically lost on the waters near Washington Island. In the wake of this unimaginable loss, his family wanted to find a meaningful way to honor his life—one that could make a lasting difference for the place that has meant so much to their family.

In partnership with Washington Island Fire Rescue, we are raising the remaining $300,000 needed to fully fund a new, purpose-built search and rescue boat for Washington Island.

This memorial fundraiser is being held in conjunction with Washington Island Fire Rescue’s existing “Float the Boat” fundraising campaign, joining David’s family, first responders, residents, visitors, businesses, and supporters around one shared mission: getting this lifesaving vessel on the water.

A Boat Built to Answer the Call

Washington Island Fire Rescue serves a uniquely challenging area. Surrounded by water and separated from many neighboring emergency resources, having the right equipment available on the island can make a critical difference when someone is missing, injured, stranded, or in distress.

The proposed 28-foot Lake Assault rescue vessel is being designed specifically for the needs of Washington Island Fire Rescue.

The vessel will be capable of operating in water as shallow as 18 inches, allowing rescuers to reach shorelines and areas that may be inaccessible to many traditional vessels.

It will also include advanced sonar, SIMRAD radar, and FLIR thermal imaging, giving responders powerful tools during search operations in darkness, fog, poor visibility, and beneath the water.

A hydraulically operated bow door will provide easier access for divers, patients, rescue personnel, and equipment. An enclosed, heated cabin will provide additional protection for crews and patients during Wisconsin’s challenging conditions.

The vessel will also be equipped with a 1,500-gallon-per-minute fire pump, expanding Washington Island Fire Rescue’s capabilities beyond search and rescue to include marine fires, waterfront emergencies, and fires in difficult-to-access locations.

More Than a Boat

This project is about giving Washington Island’s first responders another tool to help them do what they already do every day: answer the call when someone needs them most.

For David’s family, it is also an opportunity to create something meaningful from an unimaginable loss.

Our hope is that David Thalman’s connection to Washington Island will continue through every mission this vessel undertakes and every person it may one day help bring home safely.

When David needed help, an entire community answered the call.

Now, together, we can answer the next call by helping give Washington Island Fire Rescue the equipment it needs to protect this community for generations to come.

Help Us Float the Boat

Washington Island Fire Rescue has already been working toward making this critical resource a reality through its “Float the Boat” campaign.

Today, $300,000 remains to fully fund the purchase of the new search and rescue boat.

In partnership with Washington Island Fire Rescue and in conjunction with the Float the Boat campaign, David’s family is asking the community to help close that remaining gap in his honor.

Our goal is simple: raise the remaining $300,000 and help get this lifesaving boat on the water.

Every contribution matters.

Whether it is $10, $100, $1,000, or a major corporate contribution, every donation brings Washington Island Fire Rescue one step closer to putting this vessel into service.

If you are unable to donate, you can still make an incredible difference. Share this fundraiser. Share David’s story. Help us reach the individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and organizations that may want to be part of this mission.

Together, we can honor David Thalman while helping provide Washington Island Fire Rescue with a resource that will serve and protect this community for years to come.

$300,000 to go. One community. One mission. Let’s Float the Boat.

Donate. Share. Help Float the Boat. Honor David.

Honoring David. Protecting Tomorrow.

This memorial fundraiser is being conducted with the support of David Thalman’s family, in partnership with Washington Island Fire Rescue, and in conjunction with Washington Island Fire Rescue’s “Float the Boat” fundraising campaign. Funds raised through this campaign will support the purchase and outfitting of the proposed search and rescue vessel for Washington Island Fire Rescue.