Defending our culture, heritage, freedom and rights!

     Formation of the NCWU officially began on Friday, April 15, 2005, in Wanchese, North Carolina. At that meeting a group of 27 North Carolina watermen voted to follow the recommendation of T. Jerry Williams, a lobbyist and consultant from Raleigh, to form the NCWU as a means to unite and to protect the North Carolina culture and heritage of making a living on the waters of this state. Williams pointed out that formation of the Association was the fastest way to make North Carolina watermen stakeholders in the North Carolina legislative and regulatory process.
     Next, on Saturday, April 23, 2005, another group of 34 men and women who make their living on the water met in Hatteras Village. At Williams' request they voted to confirm the need to establish the NCWU and subsequently voted to proceed and form of the new association.
     Both meetings were called by Captain Britton Shakelford and at the Hatteras meeting Captain Rom Whitaker was appointed to serve as the first NCWU president. That December he was elected to second term and presided over the association through 2006. Effective January 1, 2007 Captain Ernie Foster became president.
     Since May of 2005 watermen from coastal and inland areas have realized the need to be stakeholders in government at state, national, legislative and regulatory levels.  Members also want representation on various boards and commissions that influence the lives of watermen. Those who initially met to form the NCWU now ask YOU to "pass the word" along the North Carolina coast to other watermen. All watermen are hereby invited and encouraged to join the NCWU. Those who would becoroprate and associate members are also welcome along with those individuals who just love to fish North Carolina waters.
     A specific goal of the NCWU is to protect and preserve the culture, heritage, freedom and rights of our members and North Carolina citizens to make a living on the waters of the state where America's first colony was established. After all, the first watermen in this region were Native Americans who fished the ocean, sound and inland waters of what became the Roanoke Colony in a region that became part of what is now the state of North Carolina.
     Association dues are $200 per captain and $100 for mates who wish to join. A corporate membership is $500 while allied membership runs $100.  If you are not a waterman, making your living on the water, but love to fish and wish to support the NCWU, you can become an associate member for a minimum donation of $20 or more. Your support of NCWU efforts is needed and will be appreciated.
     Note the NCWU was successful during the last three sessions of the North Carolina General Assembly. They pushed an aggressive agenda in 2007. However, the Association's continued success is now dependent on membership and participation.
     Download our mission statement and objectives along with information on our dues classifications and a list of the NCWU Executive Committee/Board. To do so now just click here.
     To join the NCWU you may download and print our membership application and send it along with your dues check to North Carolina Watermen United, PO Box 150, Hatteras, NC 27943. Be sure to include the information requested on the application but feel free to add your comments and provide additional information and ideas on how the NCWU can accomplish our mission and goals.
     The Executive Committee/Board functions on behalf of member North Carolina Watermen. The NCWU is a legislative and regulatory advocacy association protecting the right to make a living on the Waters of North Carolina.