Family of renowned fisherman who died donates boat to ocean cleanup group

The family of a experienced diver and fisherman who died late last year is paying homage to his honour and donating a boat to a fellow diver who has made it his mission to clean up harbours and shorelines.

Shortly before Christmas, Lindsay Pettendied while scuba diving with his son. Petten lost consciousness and could not be revived. He was 46.

His death sent shockwavesthrough the community. Petten was the owner of the Nautical Legend, one of roughly 70 enterprises based in Port de Grave, and son of another fishing icon, Ches Petten.

Shawn Bath is also an avid ocean enthusiast. He has spent the last two yearsdivingand pulling up whatever trashhe finds sitting on the ocean floor, via his non-profit group Clean Harbour Initiative.

Cans, tires, old fishing nets, whatever Bath could find would ultimately end up in the dump instead of in the Atlantic Ocean.

About a year ago Bath and his team realized that they should invest in a boat to make their lives a little easier.

"At that time we couldn't really afford a boat, we were just starting out. So we kind of just gave up on it," Bath said.

Enter the Petten family.

Coincidentally, a year before Petten died,Bath had inquired about one of his boats. He spoke briefly with Nick Petten, Lindsay's son, and was told the vessel wasn't for sale, but that the family would talk about it.

'It's beyond incredible'

Bath said, awhile after Lindsay Petten's death,he received a call from Nick Pettenoffering up some equipment to donate to Bath's cause.

"After what Nick went through, the ordeal he went through, I just assumed when he saidgear, it was some diving gear belonged to his dad or somethinghe wanted to donate," Bath said.

"So I was more than happy to take that donation ... whatever he had."

But it was more than just diving gear.

When the two men met up in Port de Grave, Petten said,"'OK, well what do you have for me?' [Nick]pointed at the boat and said, 'well what about thatboat?'"

Bath said he was at a loss for words. The boat donation would save him andClean Harbours Initiative about $30,000, he said.

"I gave the guy a big hug and almost cried," said Bath.

"It's beyond incredible. I didn't know these people really well up until this happened ... everybody I talk to about Nick, Lindsay and his family, everyone says the same thing. They're just absolutely beautiful people."

Bath said that by spring the boat will be fitted to his needs and will be the operating base for a team of divers he's putting in place.

"We'll never run out of trash, I can guarantee you that," Bath said.

"There's enough trash on the bottom to keep 100 diversgoing in this province for years to come."

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