Fishing Vessel Sudden Impact Support Melanie Barrett

F/V Sudden Impact

Hello, this is Stephanie. At the request of family, friends, friends of friends and complete strangers; from Maine and beyond, I am organizing this fundraiser. In a time of tragedy people want to help, support their families, their community but are often feeling "what can I do?" " what do they need?", honestly we only want prayers for strength to get through these horrific next few hours, days, weeks...My only sister, Melanie Barrett, has lost her husband of 36 years and their only child to the sea.

Saturday 01/18/25 "unexpectedly and without warning" a tragedy occurred that will "have a strong effect" on Melanie Barrett, the wife of Chet, the mother to their only child; one son, Aaron. When the F/V Sudden Impact turned upside down and sunk to the bottom of the ocean in 160 feet of water and approximately 1 mile from land. Melanie's world was in that vessel; her husband and her only child were at the mercy of the sea, the sea that they both loved.

At this time, Maine Marine Patrol is commanding the body recovery stage. Dean Barrett, at Melanie's request, is commanding the volunteer efforts. Until their bodies are found we expect to see them come up across the porch saying "just wait until you hear this story" followed by the boisterous laugh that this father and son share. A special little camp girl says I feel heartbreak, please Uncle Chex, the super funny, silly and joking uncle-come home-I know I can't see you!

Dear Lord "Fair winds and following seas."

We need them home, for closure, to move through the grieving process. Our family, friends, fellow fishermen and an entire Downeast Maine community has been "suddenly impacted" when the seas swirled, claiming the lives of 2 hard working men, who simply loved the water.

They simply loved the water; bass fishing, boating, and the infamous rope swing @ their lifetime camp at Schoodic Lake, lobster fishing out of South Addison and scallop dragging out of Cobscook Bay.

Chet and Aaron always had a story or two (or twenty)! Every work day, camp day, home project or whatever adventure they had thought up...always ended with a story. Many "stories" shared over a few cold beverages and a smoke in the screenhouse or around the fire pit upta camp. Story for story, eyes twinkling, contagious laughs and your day was "suddenly impacted" by these two men, because laughter is the best medicine.

Chet was a husband, father, son, uncle, brother, most importantly he was a friend. He enjoyed the simple things in life; deer hunting, camp, grilling and a truck with no lienholder.

Aaron was a son, longtime boyfriend, father figure to a little girl (who changed him forever, she very quickly had Aaron wrapped around her little pinky and their bond was sealed), nephew, cousin and friend to anyone that would "just listen to this story".

All proceeds will go directly to Melanie Barrett. Chet was the only source of income for their household as Melanie has been fighting her own battle with cancer. They were a private couple, helping others behind the scenes, never wanting the spotlight, never hesitate to help others.

Chet and Melanie have worked hard their entire lives, never taking anything from anyone, saying we have each other and our son. Today, a new dawn, a new chapter is beginning but it certainly looks bleak.

Please donate what your ❤️ tells you to.

Prayers, strength, support, a kind word; these are all free and we will certainly need this in the tough days ahead. A heartfelt sincere thank you to each and everyone who has reached out in any way, we simply can not respond to every individual person, but please know we hear you! Continue to share "their stories", shed a few tears and then turn it into a boisterous laugh in honor of this father and son.

Thank you