In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a group of charter boat captains emerged as heroes, ferrying islanders to and from their homes without asking for a dime.
As floodwaters receded from Anna Maria Island and other coastal communities, some local fishing guides began working to help those in need, even at personal cost.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall late Sept. 26 near Perry with winds reaching 145 mph and storm surge as high as 10 feet. The storm passed within 125 miles of Anna Maria Island, devastating much of the barrier island and low-lying coastal communities. Roads became impassable, electricity was knocked out and hundreds of homes and vehicles were damaged or destroyed by storm surge.
Before the bridge reopenings, many people who stayed despite an evacuation notice for coastal areas were stranded on the island and those who evacuated were left with no way back to check on their homes.
That’s when guide captains like Lucas Engel, Devin Calderon, Jason Stock, Josh Prunier and others took to the waters in their boats to provide transportation and supplies.
“There’s a lot of positives that are happening in the community,” Engel, who runs Lucas Engel Charters, said in a Sept. 30 interview with The Islander. “Rather than look at the negatives in the whole situation, we are going out there to figure out ways where we can help as many people as we can.”
“My house did not get flooded and didn’t really get impacted that bad from the hurricane,” he added. “So where I can do my part and help others, I will, and it’s just not just me who’s been doing it.”
“I saw that both bridges were closed and everyone was just dying to get out of there,” Calderon said. “People were talking and I saw it all over Facebook and the internet. So I just went ahead.”
Calderon owns and operates Chase the Blue charters, an inshore and offshore fishing charter business on AMI.
Engel, Calderon, Miller, Prunier and others collectively helped hundreds of people reach their properties, as well as delivered food, water and cleaning supplies.
For some who returned, it was the captains who provided a chance for people to look for lost pets or deliver critical medication.
“It’s been chaotic but we keep moving, keep transporting stuff and people,” said Stock, who spent the first week after the storm navigating debris-filled waterways. “With the traffic and everything it’s been easier to go by boat.”
None of the captains asked for payment, taking only donations that mainly went toward fuel for the next trip.
However, some incurred damage to their vessels from debris in the water.
“I damaged my prop shaft and had to replace my gear case and it cost me about $4,000,” said Prunier, who runs Rippin Lips Charters out of the Warners Bayou Boat Ramp. He said many of the captains who were running people to the island shared similar issues.
“A couple other captains have hit some submerged objects as well and I’m pretty sure they’re not on the water today due to that,” he said.
“I’m a local charter boat captain, obviously I am going to be heavily affected by what’s going on,” Prunier added. “I mean, the community supports me. So I figured it was a good thing to support the community. A lot of people lost everything. I was fortunate enough not to have my house flooded. So I thought about what I could do to be productive in the meantime?”
Calderon also suffered damage to his boat in the process of providing transport to those in need.
“So I ran really hard for the first few days and then a few days ago I hit something in the water. I think it was a sunken boat and I lost my whole lower unit,” Calderon said. “Another captain towed me to the Kingfish Boat Ramp and I was able to get the boat out and it’s now at the shop.”
Calderon estimated the repair to his outboard, a 2024 Suzuki 250, to be around $4,000.
However, both Prunier and Calderon said they plan to continue shuttling people, even with the expense of repairs, until transport isn’t needed anymore.
The area, known for its tight-knit, waterfront fishing community, has now seen the effects of a major storm surge, with floodwaters destroying homes and businesses.
People who evacuated before the storm returned to find entire streets inundated with sand and bridges closed for safety.
However, despite the destruction, the spirit of community remained strong.
While efforts to restore power and clear roads continued in the first week after the hurricane, the guides, some named and some not, remained on the water, helping where they could. For them, their work as guides wasn’t disrupted by the natural disaster — it just took on a different form.
To reach Capt. Luke Engel call 941-447-1524.
To reach Capt. Josh Prunier call 941-580-7363.
To reach Capt. Devin Calderon call 941-209-8223.
To reach Capt. Jason Stock call 727-459-5899.