Members of the Dillingham community gathered to share song, prayer and memories ahead of the 2019 season.
On a gray Sunday morning, the Dillingham harbor was filled with song and prayer during the annual blessing of the fleet. Nine Bristol Bay religious and community leaders lent their words to the ceremony, praying for protection and productivity this summer.
“Lord we pray for this fishing season lord,” said Phil Hullet of Bristol Bay Village Outreach. “That you give safety for the fleet, for the ships, for the crew. Lord that your bounty will be plentiful this year.”
In addition to prayers for the season to come, there were also prayers for those who lost their lives in seasons past.
“We are especially remembering and honoring each person whose name is being called out today,” said Luisa Hanson, the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. “Those who lost their lives providing for their families. May your presence be with all those who still grieve and miss them.”
The ceremony took place in the shadow of the fishermen’s memorial, an old wooden boat turned into a monument to the men and women who died at sea. The memorial’s list of names was read aloud, including the names of two fishermen who died last summer.