ALAMEDA, CA — In the aftermath of a tragic and deadly boat accident in the San Francisco Bay, fishermen Mike Montoya and Justine Marceline were hailed as heroes.
The duo was fishing near Fort Mason on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 14, when they suddenly saw what they thought was smoke emanating from a boat about 600 yards from Alcatraz.
The duo quickly packed up their gear and made their way on a boat to the site of the accident, where handfuls of people had been thrown overboard and were bobbing in the cold water.
The incident would leave at least two people dead, two more missing, and officials searching for answers about what caused the boat to sink.
Officials, however, said one thing was certain: the actions of the two fishermen saved countless lives.
"It’s just an unspoken rule," Montoya told the San Francisco Chronicle while recounting that day. "If you’re on the water and somebody needs your help, you just help."
What many people don't know is that Montoya has been "fighting his own uphill battle for years," according to a GoFundMe started out of Alameda on behalf of the fisherman.
Montoya was left with a broken neck and a ruptured spleen following a "devastating accident," according to the GoFundMe.
Because of his injuries, Montoya was never able to return to his career, according to the GoFundMe, and has since been working tirelessly to make ends meet.
When he isn't fishing to help supplement his income, he's working with fiberglass, according to the fundraiser.
"Mike has never been someone to ask for help," according to the fundraiser. "Now we're asking our community to do the same for him. Your donation will help Mike find stable housing, cover everyday living expenses, and continue rebuilding his life after years of hardship."
"Heroes don't always wear capes—they're often ordinary people who choose to act when others need them most."
The fundraiser has raised $3,360 out of its $9,000 goal as of Monday morning.
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