The FEW and The Cricket II team up again.
On August 13th, The Foundation for Exceptional Warriors and the legendary shark fishing vessel Cricket II hosted another offshore fishing trip for six veterans from four different campaigns. The weather was amazing and the fish were biting. All the warfighters were able to land at least two sharks each.
We at the FEW want to thank “Captain Joe” for his consistent generosity and continuous support for America’s veterans. The trip was a success on many different levels; it provided an opportunity for veterans to reconnect with nature through a challenging outdoor experience, new relationships and networking connections were made, it strengthened existing partnerships, and promoted healthy competition among the participants.
We appreciate all of our support we have received thus far from the community. We look forward to adding new events to the FEW’s calendar, and welcome the opportunity to provide positive experiences for America’s warfighter.
The legendary JAWS boat – the Cricket II – has been donated to an all-volunteer, North Carolina non-profit. She’s been fully restored and out-fitted for the purpose of taking disabled veterans and combat- wounded warriors fishing. Her large 22′ cockpit will easily accommodate wheelchairs. Other modifications have been made to assure a comfortable and safe fishing adventure for our military heroes. Civilians may fish for a reasonable donation with all proceeds going directly to providing fishing trips for our veterans. Our port of call for the 2016 fishing season is Morehead City Yacht Basin.
In 1946, an eighty-year-old boat builder in Burgess, Virginia, Tiffany Cockrell, was approached by a young New Jersey fisherman Frank Mundus. Mundus needed a strong, seaworthy boat from which to commercially harpoon swordfish and catch giant tuna. The boat also needed to carry 20 passengers for bottom fishing in the off-season.
Together, the old boat builder and the young fisherman sketched out a plan on a 42” window shade. The shade became the blueprint for the 42’ Cricket II. Cockrell, who had never sailed on the ocean, knew the boat had to be extra-special. He built an extra-large frame with a high freeboard. Instead of one inch planks, he used two inch yellow pine from lumber mills in North Carolina. A six cylinder Gray marine engine provided seven knots. Upon completion, the vessel Cricket II was launched and sailed north to the fishing harbor in Brielle, New Jersey.