Westport Blessing of the Fleet honors lost mariners, prays for bountiful, safe season

By Dan Hammock • May 31, 2021 6:30 pm
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The presentation of the colors at Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Westport. Presenting the colors were the U.S. Coast Guard and members of local veterans’ associations. At center, at the base of the flag pole, Greg Barnes prepares to ring the memorial bell as names of those who lost their lives at sea are read aloud. The ceremony began with the raising of the flag on the South Beach Regional Fire Authority ladder truck in the background.
DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The presentation of the colors at Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Westport. Presenting the colors were the U.S. Coast Guard and members of local veterans’ associations. At center, at the base of the flag pole, Greg Barnes prepares to ring the memorial bell as names of those who lost their lives at sea are read aloud. The ceremony began with the raising of the flag on the South Beach Regional Fire Authority ladder truck in the background.

More than 100 people honored those who lost their lives at sea and prayed for a safe and bountiful fishing season at the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Westport on Sunday.

Myron Ness, lead pastor at he South Beach Christian Center, welcomed the crew at the Fishermen’s Memorial at the end of Neddie Rose Drive, noting last year’s memorial had to be held virtually because of pandemic restrictions and it was good to be back in person. He delivered the invocation and introduced the presentation of colors by the U.S. Coast Guard and local veterans groups.

Rev. Bill Troxell of the Coastal Community Church delivered the scripture reading and blessing of the fleet prayer. Greg Barnes then rang the bell at the base of the Fishermen’s Memorial flag pole as each name of those who had lost their lives at sea was read.

Coast Guard personnel then placed the memorial wreath in the water just off the observation platform, joined by four local commercial fishing vessels.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor personnel place the memorial reef at Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Westport. In the background is commercial troller Brittany May, one of four commercial vessels to join in the ceremony.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor personnel place the memorial reef at Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Westport. In the background is commercial troller Brittany May, one of four commercial vessels to join in the ceremony.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The presentation of the colors at Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Westport. Presenting the colors were the U.S. Coast Guard and members of local veterans’ associations. At center, at the base of the flag pole, Greg Barnes prepares to ring the memorial bell as names of those who lost their lives at sea are read aloud. The ceremony began with the raising of the flag on the South Beach Regional Fire Authority ladder truck in the background.

DAN HAMMOCK | THE DAILY WORLD The presentation of the colors at Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Westport. Presenting the colors were the U.S. Coast Guard and members of local veterans’ associations. At center, at the base of the flag pole, Greg Barnes prepares to ring the memorial bell as names of those who lost their lives at sea are read aloud. The ceremony began with the raising of the flag on the South Beach Regional Fire Authority ladder truck in the background.