The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at Fishermen's Terminal symbolizes hopes for a safe journey by people who make their living on the sea. But two days before the event, tragedy struck one fisherman just a few feet from where the blessing took place.

On Sunday, March 12, fishermen, family members and community leaders gathered to wish fishermen well about fifty feet from where the bodies of two people were recovered two days prior. Both were apparently drowning victims.

The victims were 43-year-old Michael Grady, and a 39-year-old woman who was unidentified at press time awaiting notification of next of kin. The Port of Seattle made a statement that there were no obvious signs of foul play.

The Port, which owns Fishermen's Terminal, has come under fire recently because of what many fishermen have called unsafe facilities. The deaths on Friday were the third and forth apparent drowning victims in the last four months at Fishermen's Terminal. In December, fisherman Kip Gilmartin's body was recovered at the terminal, and in February, Barlo Buck Rea's body was found, also at Dock 9, where Friday's victims were recovered.

During the Blessing of the Fleet service Sunday afternoon, there were several statements about Friday's tragedy. Pastor Erik Wilson Weiberg, of Ballard First Lutheran Church, who presided over the service, called for a moment of silence for the deceased.

"We think of this as a safe harbor but it's not always safe," he said.

There have been several discussions between the port and fishermen regarding safety at the terminal. During the blessing, Port of Seattle Commission President Pat Davis took the opportunity to speak about the incident.

"There was no evidence, at all, of unsafe conditions on the terminal," Davis said.

During the service the "Christ Pennant," a flag representing the blessing, is presented to a fisherman symbolizing the community's hope for a safe fishing season. Receiving the pennant this year was John McDonald, a 31-year veteran, who met Grady on several occasions, and was critical of the safety record at Fishermen's Terminal.

"The lighting hasn't been maintained, the docks are slippery. Do you have to ask why are all these people are falling in the water," he said.

Weiberg, who has conducted the blessing of the fleet ceremony for the last ten years, was also concerned about the recent succession of fatal incidents.

"When this many people have died in such a short time, somebody should be paying attention to that," he said.

The Blessing of the Fleet has been carried out for 77 years by Ballard First Lutheran Church for Seattle-based fishermen and their families.

A 2003 economic study commissioned by the City of Seattle estimated that some 1500 fishermen and boat captains are based in and around the Seattle area, most fishing the waters of Alaska.

By weight, more than half of all fish caught in the United States - 9.6 billion pounds - came from Alaska in 2004. The state of Alaska estimates that about one half of all fishermen in Alaskan waters are registered in Washington State. The largest portion of the Alaskan seafood catch is in the form of Pollock, Halibut, Cod and Salmon.

Statistically, fishing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. In 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that only loggers and airline pilots had deadlier occupations.

According to Weiberg, the Blessing of the Fleet asks God to protect fishermen from harm, bring a good harvest, and help fishermen be responsible stewards of the environment. The blessing is bestowed on one vessel to represent the fishing fleet - this year, McDonald's 36 foot Gill Netter, "Sanjo." McDonald will sail to Bristol Bay, Alaska, during the summer and then fly the Christ Pennant in Puget Sound waters, for the summer and fall salmon season.

McDonald said representing the fleet was a "huge honor" and that many fishermen he knew found the ceremony comforting, especially given the well publicized dangers fishermen face.

"I don't know anybody that refuses a prayer," McDonald said.