GEORGETOWN — As they have for more than 20 years, about a dozen boats gathered Sunday at Five Islands Harbor for the annual blessing of the fleet.

Ira Pinkham was often the first one to tie his boat to the dock, family said. But this year, his son Henry took his place, as about 100 people gathered to honor fishermen who have passed, including Pinkham.

Pinkham, 51, died last year. He was passionate about the lobstering community, according to his obituary, following in his father’s footsteps with a lifelong career on the water.

Stephenie Pinkham said her and Ira’s two sons are also fisherman, carrying on Ira’s legacy. She said the yearly blessing of the fleet is about “the importance of recognizing and respecting commercial fishermen.”

“They’re going out, every single day,” she said. “It’s a sacrifice for the fishermen, and their families.”

The Five Islands blessing is one of several held yearly along Maine’s coast to kick off the summer boating season, and to pray that fishermen are kept safe and successful while at sea.

The Pinkham family has attended the Five Islands blessing of the fleet for years, Stephenie said, and it has always been one of her favorite days of the year. Not having Ira this year was difficult, she said, but she was glad he and others could be remembered.

“It’s hard,” Stephenie Pinkham said after the blessing. “But it makes it that much more special, not just for myself but for the entire fleet.”

The event started Sunday at noon with the national anthem. American flags fluttered in the wind, atop a few dozen vessels anchored nearby. Steam was still rising from the water as Pastor Chris Dumas of the Five Islands Baptist Church led the blessing from a small speaker.

Dumas listed many of the fishermen the crowd gathered to remember as Stephenie Pinkham, standing aboard The Lucky Strike, picked up a wreath to release into the water. Dumas ended with Ira’s name.

“God Bless them all,” Dumas said on the speaker. “None of you will be forgotten.” 

Then, about a dozen boats took off. They gathered in a circle, farther from the docks, to spread Pinkham’s ashes. There was applause and at least one bullhorn before the fleet returned to the dock.

On land, people cracked open a few beers. They exchanged hugs and laughs as they prepared to spend the rest of the day celebrating.

“Now we just party,” Stephenie Pinkham said. “Total celebration.”