WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Hampshire fisherman Captain Tyler McLaughlin was named as a 2015 Hero by the Red Cross of Northwest Massachusetts for his heroic efforts rescuing a sinking vessel in October 2014. The prestigious First Responder Award was presented to McLaughlin by American Red Cross Board Member DawnMarie Corneau at the season four premiere of National Geographic Channel’s hit series Wicked Tuna at the New England Boat Show.
McLaughlin was honored for his efforts in rescuing the crew of the Miss Sambvca, a Gloucester-based fishing vessel that sank 14 miles east of Thatcher Island during treacherous sea conditions on October 19, 2014. The boat had been hit by two 10-foot waves, and crew members Dennis Bonazzoli and Dave Potter quickly found themselves in grave danger. Luckily, Captain McLaughlin heard their distress call, cut his lines and anchor, and raced to the scene and pulled the two men out of the water and got them safely back to Gloucester, where they were hospitalized and later released.
“The Red Cross mission was built on enabling ordinary people to do extraordinary things and Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s actions are a shining example of that,” said Frederica Doeringer, Executive Director of the Chapter. “We are thrilled to make this presentation part of the official Wicked Tuna Boston premiere.
“The events that night will continue to haunt me for a long time,” said Captain McLaughlin. “It completely opened my mind to the dangers that fishermen face every day, and I am incredibly honored that the Red Cross has given me this award.”
Captain McLaughlin hails from Hollis, NH and despite being one of the youngest captains in the Gloucester fleet, quickly earned a reputation as one of the best fishermen on the East Coast. He currently appears on National Geographic Channel’s hit series Wicked Tuna, which returns for a new season on Sunday, February 15 at 9/8c. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com/wickedtuna.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
National Geographic Channels
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channels US are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Networks. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with smart, innovative programming and profits that directly support its mission. Launched in January 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) celebrated its fifth anniversary with the debut of NGC HD. In 2010, the wildlife and natural history cable channel Nat Geo WILD was launched, and in 2011, the Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with NGC currently available in 85 million U.S. homes. Globally, National Geographic Channel is available in more than 432 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com.
