Fernandina Beach recognizes work of Anchors Aweigh Charters, Inc.

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 2, 2020

John Miller presented his final Proclamation as Fernandina Beach Mayor at the December 1, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission to Steve and Wanda Hair, operators of Anchors Aweigh Charters, Inc.  The Proclamation expressed the City’s appreciation to the captains for providing boating excursions, to individuals with limitations, an opportunity to experience charter fishing.

Anchors Aweigh Charters is a local not for profit organization which provides no cost fishing charters to individuals with permanent physical and/or developmental disabilities, as well as those diagnosed with terminal illnesses.  For 23 years innumerable guests young and old, able and challenged, have delighted in their boat’s (Ye Ole Pirate) custom ADA features, specialized gear, and adaptive equipment all of which serve to enhance each guests’ ability to cast away cares and leisurely enjoy a beautiful day on the water.  Captains Steve and Wanda Hair, driven by their fundamental passion and dedication to serve people in all circumstances of life, offer Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) charter tours to share their belief that “fishing is not always to catch fish, but that being on the water is therapy for the soul.”

In accepting the Proclamation Steve Hair said, “It’s very touching, when you can take a kid 33 years in a row and every year God has blessed that child to be able to catch a fish.  It’s really special.  He weighed 63 pounds in his wheel chair, and the last fish he caught was over 74 pounds on his last trip.”

The Hairs received a round of applause from the FBCC and the audience.