Media Availability: Coast Guard to hold 40th anniversary memorial of Cutter Blackthorn collision

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 305-965-4672 PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Media Availability: Coast Guard to hold 40^th anniversary memorial of Cutter Blackthorn collision

 

WHO: Coast Guard members of local units and dignitaries

WHAT: The 40^th anniversary memorial service for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision

WHEN: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Blackthorn Memorial Site FL-55 St. Petersburg, Florida 33752

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard is holding a memorial service Tuesday for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Tuesday marks the 40^th anniversary of the Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers.

 

Notable dignitaries include:

Secretary Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security

Adm. Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard                            

Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, Military Advisor to the Secretary

Rear Adm. Eric Jones, Commanding Officer of the Seventh Coast Guard District

Master Chief Jason Vanderhaden, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard

 

The ceremony includes a wreath laying by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, an honor platoon representing each lost soul, acknowledgement of each Blackthorn victim, gun salute, laying of roses, and presiding official comments.

 

Media interested in attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP no later than 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 27 by contacting Coast Guard Public Affairs Tampa Bay at 305-965-4672.

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-USCG-