People filled the newly-restored Seamen’s Bethel to the rafters Monday to pay their respects to fishermen who have lost their lives at sea and to pray for the safe return of the men who currently fish the Atlantic.
Retired Probate Court Judge Armand Fernandes and Bruce Oliveira took turns reading nearly 300 names of local fishermen who have been lost at sea. Each time a name was read from the bow of the ship, which is the pulpit at the Bethel, a solitary bell was struck, resonating throughout the confines of the chapel.
Both Fernandes and Oliveira are members of the New Bedford Port Society’s Executive Board. Fernandes is the first vice president and Oliveira is the assistant treasurer and was the chairman of the Development Committee of the more than $3 million restoration of the Seamen’s Bethel and Mariners’ Home on Johnny Cake Hill.
Monday’s event was sponsored by the Offshore Mariners Wives’ Association and the New Bedford Port Society.
As Fernandes and Oliveira read the names, spectators read along with the names of the deceased fishermen listed in their programs.
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said for most people the commute to work is pretty routine compared to a commercial fisherman. Their commute could be “a life or death event,” he said.
“It is dangerous out there, very dangerous,” and the stress and uncertainty weighs heavily on the families in the fishing community, he said.