So, 41 years have passed since the first Blessing of the Fleet took place in 1984. Our purpose has always been and will continue to be to recognize those fishers who have been lost at sea since the turn of the century.
That number is 40 fishers. Those names are engraved on the memorial plaque which is housed at the Blaine Harbor by the conference room. When those names are called out during the service, the ship’s bell will ring and folks may come forward to put a flower in a wreath. After those 40 names are called, the names of those fishers who have passed away since the last Blessing of the Fleet will be called, the bell will ring and a flower for each fisher will be placed in the wreath.
At the end of the day, the wreath will be taken into Boundary Bay and set free by a local fisher. This year, Jeff Markusen, skipper of the Sound Star, will have that honor.
The Fisherman’s Memorial Committee along with the Port of Bellingham and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce will host the event.
There will be dignitaries from Washington state and the city of Blaine in attendance.
The clergy will lead a prayer for the fishers and their boats to ensure safe travels to and from the harbor and the fishing grounds for the upcoming season.
The clergy will lead a prayer for the fishers and their boats to ensure safe travels to and from the harbor and the fishing grounds for the upcoming season.
The Blaine community has been outstanding in supporting the Blessing of the Fleet since 1984. So I extend an invitation to all of you on behalf of the Fisherman’s Memorial Committee to join us once again on Sunday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center on Marine Drive. If the weather is good, we will be outside. If not, we will gather in the conference room. See you there!
Gary Dunster is chair of the Fisherman’s Memorial Committee.
