MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard to hold 41st 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 41^st anniversary memorial of Cutter Blackthorn collision

 

Editor’s Note: Media interested in attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 27 by contacting Coast Guard Public Affairs Tampa Bay at 305-965-4672. Only credentialed media will be granted access to the event. All media will be required to have face masks.

 

WHO: Coast Guard members of local units, dignitaries, and survivors

WHAT: The 41^st anniversary memorial service for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision

WHEN: Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

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

 

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

Thursday marks the 41^st 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.

Due to the COVID- 19 safety guidelines, the event is not open to the public this year.

 

Notable dignitaries include:

Vice Adm. Steven Poulin, Commanding Officer of  Coast Guard Atlantic Area

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

Capt. Matthew Thompson, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg

 

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.

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-USCG-