Fishermen along with their families and members of Ballard First Lutheran Church gathered at Fishermen’s Terminal on Sunday before a fleet of boats that would soon head to open waters. People thought about crew safety, a bountiful seafood harvest and appreciation for emergency responders. The 81st annual “Blessing of the Fleet” drew about 100 people from throughout the Seattle area to the terminal, marking a tradition started by the church’s late Rev. O.L. Haavik.
Ballard First Lutheran Church Council President Tom Tocher asked God for protection for the men and women who ply the waters off Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. Among the elected officials who spoke, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott talked about how the tradition still has meaning. It is told that the fishermen have to be careful because things can go wrong very fast.
Bob Alverson of the Fishing Vessel Owners’ Association noted that people in the industry are resilient. He added that fishermen are some of the most optimistic people around. On behalf of the entire fishing fleet this year, the F/V Middleton, a 56-foot boat owned by Seattle resident Kurt Hansen, received the annual blessing.
