Nicolet Family

Hello! My name is Sara and I am putting together this donation site for The Nicolet Family; Shawna, Travis, Bas, Kyuss, and Tiago. If you know them at all, you know they're a wonderful, driven, very adventurous bunch. They get to live on their 43' sailboat, the Niniwahuni. They sailed down to Mexico in October 2020 and have been living there ever since. Over time, they developed their dream to cross the Pacific. Niniwahuni departed from Banderas Bay, Nayarit, Mexico March 13, 2023; destination Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Unfortunately, almost 2 weeks and 900 nautical miles into their journey, they were hit by a terrible storm (up to 15 ft waves and 30 kt winds) that ended up de-masting their sailboat (their home.) This is one of the worst emergencies that could happen while at sea. They activated their emergency plan and got the US Coast Guard involved. The USCG diverted a tanker to rescue them; Shawna and the boys got on the tanker on 03/24, and it is now headed to Hawaii so they can disembark. As a family, they made the impossible decision to have Travis stay with the vessel and attempt to salvage it (it is their home, everything they have.) He is still out in the Pacific, roughly 400 nautical miles from Clarion Island; the first goal for him to get to before deciding on next steps. He is not out of danger, but there is an enormous effort underway and a plan in place to help him get what he needs. This family has been living through a nightmare and has some unforeseen expenses (repair of the vessel, travel, etc.) that will be arising. If you can help monetarily in any way, please consider donating to them. If you are unable to do so, please send your thoughts, prayers, love, energy, vibes, or whatever other positivity you have into the universe so they can all be together and safe soon!