ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Coast Guard crew members from local units held a memorial service honoring the fallen crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn, Tuesday, at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg.
The memorial ceremony marked the 45th anniversary of the 23 lives lost during the collision between Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the motor vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980. The ship had a crew complement of 50.
“The Coast Guard is honored to continue to recognize all those who made the ultimate sacrifice 45 years ago during the tragic Cutter Blackthorn event,” said retired Master Chief Petty Officer John L. Chassereau, Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn memorial committee president. “We continue to learn from our past to positively develop our service in the future.”
The Blackthorn collision forever changed the Coast Guard and provided lessons on risk management and training. After this tragedy, the Coast Guard made critical improvements to service readiness, training, and safety. It provided the impetus for the establishment of the Command and Operations School at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The school offers courses to prepare command-level officers and senior enlisted members for command duty afloat.
The ceremony included a fly over by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, wreath laying, an honor platoon representing each Blackthorn victim, laying of roses and presiding official comments from Rear Adm. Douglas M. Schofield, Coast Guard District Seven commander.
Resources:
The Long Blue Line: “No greater love”—Billy Flores, hero of the Cutter Blackthorn
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