The commercial crab season is finished, which means it’s time to turn our attention to the 42nd annual Blessing of the Fleet that will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center.
The tradition started in 1984 to honor fishers who’ve been lost at sea, going back to the early 1900s. That number is now 42.
When I reflect on those who we’ve lost, I think about how they left Blaine Harbor and never returned. I’m hopeful families will get closure and comfort during the Blessing of the Fleet.
The Fisherman’s Memorial Committee, along with the Port of Bellingham and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, will host this event. Washington state and city of Blaine dignitaries are expected to attend.
Music will be provided by Bob Gray, Jeremy Birklid, Mike Dahl, Vivian Wheeler and Austin Hoeffner. The Marshall family will sing “Away from the Roll of the Sea.”
The clergy will lead a prayer for the fishers and their boats. As the names of the 42 fishers are read, a ship’s bell will ring and a flower will be placed in a wreath. After we honor the 42, we will remember fishers who have died at home since the last ceremony.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will then deliver the wreath to the Sound Star vessel, owned by local fisherman Jeff Markusen. He will place the wreath on the water to symbolize the end of the Blessing of the Fleet.
The Blaine community has been outstanding in supporting the ceremony since 1984. I extend an invitation to everyone on behalf of the memorial committee to join us for the 42nd annual memorial. If the weather permits, we will be outside of the Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. If not, we will gather inside.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Gary Dunster is a Blaine resident and chair of the Fisherman’s Memorial Committee.
