They do it to give back. Or simply to thank a veteran. Or for the sheer fun of seeing someone catch his first fish. Or simply because it’s a wonderful day filled with fun, laughter, and new friendships.
These were the opinions of the nearly 22 boat captains who are donating back their time and their boat to Fins for Freedom, the volunteer non-profit group organized by Mike Mavrinac, Jake Campi, Dave Thompson and Dan Brady all sports fishermen who recognize the benefits of a day on the water and the thrill of hooking a striped bass be it for the first or 50th time.
Saturday, May 17, will mark the fourth year Fins for Freedom, their sponsors and their boat captains have offered the day’s experience and 99 veterans signed up for the no cost day which includes, both breakfast before the day on the water as well as a gala dinner at the end at On the Deck when awards will be given, addresses exchanged and new friends make arrangements to meet again.
“This year is the biggest and best,” said Mavrinac, explaining how he knows that veterans with stress or other problems can be helped greatly with a day on the water. “We call it aqua therapy,” he grinned.
William Distaso of Manalapan agrees. This is the second year he is offering himself as captain and the Avery Lynn, his 32-foot Center console. He’s doing it because of the great time not only his veterans, but he himself had last year. “There’s nothing like seeing someone catch his first fish!” he said.
Frank “Chip” Capasso came from his home in Hawthorne with his 28-foot Albin Sea Lark for the day. He saw Fins for Freedom on Facebook, knows he likes to do anything for vets and signed up along with his mate Frank Hollosi of Sayreville. “Seeing somebody catch his first fish is worth everything,” he grinned. Capasso also volunteers for the Manhattan Club program similar to Fins for Freedom, set this year for June 6.
This is the third year of volunteering for John Fahey of Keyport, who offers his 28-foot Regulator for the day simply because “it’s the right thing to do.”
Capt. Harry Browne of Middletown’s Muscle Magoo is also back to offer his boat , a 22-foot Pro Sport for the third time and also volunteers for both the Manhattan Club and the Twin Lights Cup. He promises the veterans on his boat will have a great day and is looking forward to seeing some of the veterans he’s seen before, as well as meeting new fishermen.
Nelson Roman of Old Bridge will have his Roman Round, a 36-foot craft in the Fins for Freedom day for the first time simply because he wants to give back and think this is a great way of doing it.
Dominick Cataline of Wayne is here for the first time. A freshman as the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne and a graduate of Wayne Hills High School before being accepted at the academy, he aims to work as a merchant seaman all his life, with his goal of being a tugboat captain. He will serve as a mate for Fins for Freedom and looking forward to meeting and talking to veterans.
“We all recognize the relaxing and stress reducing benefits of a day on the open water and knowing that as boat owners or major corporation heads who could help active-duty military men and women, “ Brady said, in explaining how Fins for Freedom started. “We pooled our efforts, came up with a program that provides for the mental health and well-being of the service members, and made it all official before the first hook went into the ocean.:
At the Captain’s meeting Friday, night, Mavrinac, Campi, Thompson and Brady told the captains that check-in is 6:30 a.m. May 17, boats will all leave their piers by 7:45 a.m, after fishermen and captains meet at the Senior Center at the Yacht Harbor, get a light breakfast and their assignments and set out for the day.
The officers thanked all the captains for their generosity, praised all the sponsors that made it all possible along with the boaters, served pizza and offered door prizes while answering questions, offering suggestions, and promising a great day for all.
In response to questions, Mavrinac noted Fins for Freedom has also made accommodations for veterans in wheelchairs, noted that MAST students from Sandy hook will be at the Senior Center from 6:30 on to register everyone, and a photographer will be available throughout the day, assuring every boat owner of photos of their day with the veterans.
Boats captains can turn to Channel 71 on the water, and all were reminded the Oceanic Bridge will not open, preventing some of the boats north of Highlands from getting here for the day.
