Albatross Fall Female Classic Raises $3,300 for Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

This year marked the Albatross Fleet’s 80th anniversary, and while the famed local fleet has held big celebrations for prior anniversaries, this year they decided that they wanted to celebrate the milestone occasion by giving back to the community.

To commemorate their longevity, the Albatross Fleet decided to raise money to support the newly formed Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Endowment Fund, which is being held and managed by the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

And how did the esteemed fishing charter fleet support the endowment fund? With a fishing tournament, of course.

The all-women’s offshore fishing tournament – the Albatross Fall Female Classic – was held on Saturday, October 28, and was a great event that was accented with perfect October weather.

The Albatross Fleet offered up two of their boats, the Albatross II and the Albatross III, to take out 12 women to fish for the day.  The crews of these boats, Captain Ernie Foster with Mate Wheeler Ballance, and Captain Brian Mattingly with Mate Sumner Mattingly, all forwent their pay for the day as well, donating their time to support the cause.

Each woman donated $250 to the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation.  For their donation, they were treated to a day out on the water, with breakfast, lunch, beverages, and snacks all provided, and gift bags that were filled with all sorts of great items which were donated from local businesses and residents.

This was all secondary to the fellowship and camaraderie that the anglers enjoyed among friends, both old and new.  Additional donations also came in from bystanders both early in the morning as the ladies were preparing to board the boats, and in the afternoon when everyone involved was celebrating the catches of the day.

In total, $3,300 was raised during the event, with participants noting that the day of fall fishing was a success in more ways than one.

“The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation would like to sincerely thank the Albatross Fleet for including us in their celebration of their 80th anniversary,” said HICF representatives in a statement.  “They coordinated this event for us, lining up all the anglers and getting so many of our local businesses and residents to donate for this event.”

“It is their hope as well as ours that this will be an event that will grow over the years, with more boats becoming involved.  Neighbors helping neighbors!”

Donations to the HICF Endowment Fund continue to be accepted and appreciated and can be sent to: