The 38th year for the Blessing of the Fleet

The Puget Sound commercial crab season closes by the middle of March. For me, when we get all of the gear put away for the season, it’s time to focus on preparing for the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, which is put together and organized by the Fisherman’s Memorial Committee along with the Port of Bellingham and Blaine Chamber of Commerce.

The blessing this year will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, and like last year, we will be outside by Gate 2 at Blaine Harbor – weather permitting. If it rains, we will be inside in the conference room.

As always, our focus is two-fold:

1) To remember and recognize those fishers who have been lost at sea since the turn of the century and those fishers who have passed away since the last Blessing of the Fleet. The ship’s bell will ring for each one we’ve lost and friends or family will put a flower in a wreath.

2) We will be led in prayer by the clergy to bless the fishing fleet to ensure safe travel to the fishing grounds and a safe return home. The wreath will be put on the Plover and taken outside of the harbor and

placed upon the waters.

There will be dignitaries from the state as well as the city of Blaine and Port of Bellingham. They will all participate in the ceremony.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will perform the flag

ceremony.

Selena Kramme will sing for us as she has for the past eight years. And once again the Blaine High School music department will perform under the direction of Bob Gray as they have for the past 20 years.

We expect a large crowd so come early. On behalf of the Fisherman’s Memorial Committee, thank you for your continued support of the Blaine fishing committee.