Maritime volunteer, Julie Corbett reflects on the National Fishing Remembrance Day
This is a national day of reflection and remembrance for men who lost their lives whilst ‘bringing in the catch’. That catch could be cod, crab, mackerel and the numerous other seafoods harvested from the sea and oceans. The special day was inaugurated in 2024. It is intended to be an annual event. It was created and led by The Fishermen’s Mission, in partnership with these other charities, The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris and involvement by government agencies Seafish and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
On Sunday 11 May 2025 this day was honoured by an event at The City’s Memorial to the Lost Trawlermen of Hull on St Andrew’s Quay.
Hull’s own fishing industry started sometime in the 12th century when the monks from Meaux Abbey were granted a royal charter by King Henry Ⅱ to allow them to catch fish from the Humber and the nearby open sea.
The three national charities were joined by two local ones. Stand, a Hull based charity founded in 1989 by John Crimlis and the Hull Fishing Heritage Centre founded during 2013.
The readings for this service were led by The Fishermen's Mission area officer for Yorkshire Sally Taylor. The occasion is not a service but an opportunity to commemorate, remember, reflect and also appreciate that many men and women are still involved both off and onshore bringing in the ‘catch’.
The Fisherman’s Prayer
(based on Psalm 23)
The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift,
He lighteth me across the dark waters,
He keepeth my log.
He guideth me by the star of holiness for His Name’s sake.
Yea, though I sail ‘mid the thunders and tempests of life,
I shall dread no danger,
for Thou are near me.
Thy love and Thy care, they shelter me.
Thou preparest a harbour for me in the homeland of eternity.
Thou anointest the waves with oil; my ship rideth calmly.
Surely, sunlight and starlight shall favour me on the voyage I take,
and I will rest in the port of my God forever.
Amen
I would like to thank the people attending this service for allowing the photographs and permission to use on the Maritime Project web site.
(The Fisherman’s Prayer is from resource pack downloadable from The Fishermen’s Mission website)
