Coast Guard holds memorial to honor fallen crew members of Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn

united states coast guard 

News Release  

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

 

01/28/2026 06:58 PM EST

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg crew members held a memorial service honoring the fallen crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn, Wednesday, at the Blackthorn Memorial in St. Petersburg.
Coast Guard members from Sector St. Petersburg stand in formation at the memorial of the USCGC Blackthorn in St. Petersburg, Florida on Jan. 28, 2026. The USCGC Blackthorn collided with the motor vessel Capricorn approximately at 8:20 p.m. on January 28, 1980. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ilian Borrero-Aguirre)