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If You Eat Dungeness Crab, Please Help This Family (or even if you don't, but can help) [1]

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Date: 2023-02-07  

Bryson Fitch and Family

For many of us living on the left coast of the United States, Dungeness crab is a delicacy surpassed by few others. Some are fortunate to live close enough and have the means to enjoy the recreational crab fishery and get their “fix” that way. Most are not, and purchase crab on the retail market. These crab are caught commercially in the waters off Washington, Oregon and California, and the season is most lucrative in the winter months. Winter months are also when the North Pacific is often dark, cold and inhospitable, but if that’s when the fishing is good, that’s when fishermen have to go out so the bills can be paid. Sunday, February 5th was another day in the long life of the F/V Ethel May, a wooden 46-foot crabber built in 1948 in South Bend, Washington, but it was to be her last.

Crews from U.S. Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor and Air Station Astoria responded to the sinking after an emergency beacon was activated and the wife of one of the men called 911 to report an emergency onboard. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from the air station was able to rescue two crewmen from a life raft at about 8:10 p.m. -Chinook Observer

Unfortunately, the Ethel May had a crew of three, so one did not come home, and the official search was called off at 5:30pm Monday after almost a day of looking methodically.

The U.S. Coast Guard called off the official search at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6 after nearly a day of emotionally grueling but fruitless efforts around the mouth of Willapa Bay, where the crab boat sank. The search included 18 different search patterns over 290 square miles. Private fishing vessels also assisted in the operation. “Suspending search efforts is a tough decision that we never take lightly,” said Lt. Cmdr. Colin Fogarty, the search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “This search involved close coordination between state and local agencies. We truly appreciate their assistance, especially from Pacific County. The Coast Guard continues to speak with the family affected by this incident.” It’s unclear what caused the boat to sink so quickly. Early reports are that strong waves and currents were battering the vessel. At the time of the incident, waves across the Willapa bar were reportedly double-deckers. -Chinook Observer

The name of the missing fisherman is Bryson Fitch, and he leaves behind a wife and three young children (aged 6, 4 and 4 months). I am not personally connected to this family, but feel a bond having grown up around fishermen with an inkling of working on a commercial fishing boat. This was strongly discouraged because of the danger, and I never did it but have friends who do or did, and pay attention to related news. Anyone who does fish commercially realizes it is probably the most demanding and dangerous job there is but accepts the risk and plans to go home. Unfortunately, Bryson didn’t come home from this trip. Having a wave crash over your boat while at sea in the dark, and being swept overboard is terrifying to consider.

Bryson was on board the Ethel May 2/5/23 when the boat took on a large wave that left the crew to scramble on to a life raft and ultimately caused the boat to sink. Out of 3 crew members, Bryson is the only one who didn’t make it on the life raft.

GoFundMe- Help Support the Fitch Family

One thing is for sure, a person who can afford to buy Dungeness crab in today’s market has a little extra money. It would be really nice if some of that extra could find it’s way to helping out Bryson’s family. The GoFundMe page includes links for venmo and cashapp as well.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/2/7/2151671/-If-You-Eat-Dungeness-Crab-Please-Help-This-Family-or-even-if-you-don-t-but-can-help

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