Donate to help Matt Rowe repair his boat

Hi everyone,

This past Sunday, the Bustins Island community came together in a remarkable way. I don't think I have ever been more proud to be a member of this community. Here is the story.

Most of you know Matt Rowe. He drives the island's truck and is always there to help islanders whenever called upon. Late Saturday night there was an intense storm with high winds. Matt moved his boat to where he thought it would be safe, but then the weather picked up and his bow line broke. He could not bring the boat back to the dock to secure it because the wind was too strong. He drove around the island looking for help, but many islanders were already gone for the season. He saw the lights on at Annalee Pease's house and called her. (She is my aunt for those of you who don't know.) She then called me to wake up my dad (who is Ron Tozier). Soon after this, Matt picked up my dad, my boyfriend and I in the truck, and we all went to Matt's boat. What we saw was scary. It took all 4 of us pulling as hard as we could to bring the boat back to the dock and secure the lines. I thought the wind may blow us off the dock it was so strong. When we got back to our cottage, we checked on our boat to find the stern line had just snapped there as well. Thankfully we were able to secure it before any damage. We wouldn't have known about this if Matt didn't need help that night.

The next morning (Sunday), Matt called my dad and exclaimed his boat was sinking. We quickly went to the scene to find his boat submerged underwater beyond the point of being able to bail it out with buckets. The bilge pump had broken; it was sinking. Then, in true island fashion, word spread on the island as we called who we knew was there and they told others. Everyone was looking for a solution and dropped what they were doing to help. Aside from myself, my dad, and my boyfriend, we also had Andy Spaulding, Rob Taisey, Steve Kirkland, Charlie Johnson, Crawford Taisey (by phone), and Chad Strater on the case. Rob Taisey brought an island fire pump to the dock, and later Andy and I went to get a second fire pump nearby to have two pumps working. To many of us, it looked like all of this was futile - it seemed the boat was just sinking in front of our eyes. The waves were coming over at what seemed like a faster pace than the pumps could get water out.

Rob Taisey was the person who wouldn't give up, and there were times I was concerned that he was in danger. No one left. We all just kept trying. Eventually (and I don't know how), it worked. The boat didn't sink and we were able to remove the water. Chad Strater then came over (he wasn't even on the island) to tow Matt's boat to Strout's Point.

Today my dad was able to talk to Strout's and found out the estimate for repair is $8,000. Let's keep this community effort going and contribute what we can so Matt can find a way to get his boat - his prized possession - back in working order. He spends much of his life catering to our needs and this is something that just makes sense for us to do for him.

What a special thing it is to be a part of Bustins Island. Thank you to everyone who helped, but special thanks to Annalee Pease, Ron Tozier, Franklin Paulino, Crawford Taisey, Andy Spaulding, Rob Taisey, Steve Kirkland, Charlie Johnson, and Chad Strater. And thank you for donating.

-Ali Tozier