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Capt. Katlin Nickerson
Katlin Todd Nickerson
March 15, 1991 – February 17, 2013 Katlin grew up on the southwestern shore of Nova Scotia, in the small fishing village of Wood’s Harbour. Like most kids, he was surrounded by tales of fishing, lobstering, swordfishing and hunting and it all soon became part of his daily life. If you were to describe Katlin, most people who knew him would use the words, helpful, respectful, a hardworker and an ‘old soul”. Katlin loved life and had a drive and desire to succeed at anything he set his mind to. Like his father, grandfather and great grandfather before him, the love of the sea and call of the ocean beckoned, and at the young age of 19, Katlin starting captaining fishing vessels. In October of 2011, he became the owner and Captain of his own boat, the “Miss Ally”. He was living his dream, and following his passion. On February 17, 2013, tragically the Miss Ally and her crew were lost at sea, leaving our small community shocked and devastated. In a way of keeping his memory alive, Katlin’s family have started a bursary in his name. The bursary will be given out each year, for 21 years (the age Katlin lost his life) at Barrington Municipal High School, where Katlin attended school. The bursary is given out to a student who exemplifies the same qualities in life Katlin possessed to allow them to follow their dreams. Captain Kat’s Lobster Shack is named in Katlin’s honour and his crew. His mother, Della, the owner of Capt. Kat’s did much soul searching when coming to the decision to open the restaurant. Having so much tragedy in her life, she knew she couldn’t give up on life, and she knew that’s not what Katlin would have wanted. The restaurant is her way of finding the strength to keep going, to be an example to her daughter, her grandchild and the rest of her family that you must keep going in order to survive. Katlin’s impact on her life changed her and made Della’s desire to make a difference in her time on earth even more meaningful. Capt. Kat’s strives to make a difference in each of their customer’s lives, whether it’s to put a smile on their face, add laughter to their day or just make their day a better one by being in their restaurant, then they know they have accomplished something. Della and her staff at Capt. Kat’s know each one of their customers has a story and if they can add to their story in a positive way, then they have reached their goal. “There’s just something about being on the water.” ~Capt. Wayne |
Miss Ally
Living by the Atlantic, we grow up here knowing the power of the ocean and Mother Nature and we are taught to always respect them both. We have come to see and know many hard working men and women that make their living on this sometimes dangerous and treacherous water around us. Life on the water is certainly not a job for everyone; its demands are many, often with its rewards, but also with its tragedies.
On February 17, 2013, our small community was met with one such tragedy. The Miss Ally and her crew of 5 hardworking young men lost their lives to the power of the Atlantic Ocean and Mother Nature. That fateful day will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of this small community and the young men who lost their lives that day will never be forgotten. Lost at Sea Captain Katlin Nickerson Crew Joel Hopkins Billy Jack Hatfield Steven “Cole” Nickerson Tyson Townsend |
