Six years ago during the Monaco Yacht Show, Bosun Will Black of the 183-foot (56m) Perini Navi M/Y Burrasca was involved in a tender accident and went missing. His family has recently started a campaign to raise money for a scholarship in his name at the UKSA in England.
“Many friends at the time wanted to help and raise money in his name but to be honest it has taken this long to think clearly about being able to do this,” his family explained on the fundraising page. “We now are doing something positive in his name within the maritime industry in which William found a home for his spirit of adventure,” the-triton.com reports.
Mr Black trained at UKSA, a sailing academy and youth-centred charity. His scholarship will help “new sailors who otherwise might not be able to enter the industry,” his family’s page said. “This is a way for Will’s name to live on and give back to the industry he so loved.”
The page accepts direct donations, but also other fundraising efforts, such as cycling or running races. The campaign began in July to mark Mr Black’s 34th birthday.
The family also raises concerns about crew safety. Mr Black was not wearing a life jacket on that late-night tender run, and the kill cord switch had been disabled, his family said. They vow to work to affect change. Read more about their concerns at Mr Black’s fundraising page.