Nearly 1000 Attend “El Faro Salute!” Dedication for Workers Lost at Sea

Nearly 1,000 people turned out on Saturday, Sept. 24, for the formal dedication to a memorial to the 33 people lost when the container ship El Faro was lost at sea in the Bahamas on Oct. 1, 2015 during Hurricane Joaquin. All hands were lost, including 17 members of the Seafarers International Union, 11 members of the American Maritime Officers (AMO), and five Polish nationals. The moving event featured emotional speeches, a performance of a song written in memory of the El Faro mariners titled “To Those Who Go Down to the Seas in Ships” and the reading of each name of the 33 lost at sea followed by the ringing of a bell.

"The artist who created EL FARO SALUTE! has captured the sacrifices made by those who make their living at sea," the AMO Union said in a statement. "Sometimes, those of us who go to sea forget the sacrifices of those who wait for our return. The memorial connects our worlds. The dedication touched upon the incredible loss that has shaped the lives of the families of our brothers and sisters who were lost to the sea in Hurricane Joaquin - families who will not see them return on these shores. American Maritime Officers appreciates the opportunity for the El Faro families, the community and all who visit this inspired work to join in mourning the loss of our brothers and sisters, and to honor and celebrate their lives at sea and at home."

American Maritime Officers members from Maine included Captain Michael C. Davidson, 53, of Windham; Second Mate Danielle L. Randolph, 34, of Rockland and Third Assistant Engineers Dylan Meklin, 23, of Rockland and Michael Holland, 25, of Wilton. Five of the crew members were graduates of the Maine Maritime Academy.

“The Seafarers International Union sincerely appreciates the dedication of this El Faro memorial,” said James Bast, Port Agent for the Seafarers International Union. “It’s another important way that the memories of her final crew will be preserved, and we applaud everyone whose vision and efforts made it possible."

Deb Roberts, the mother of Michael Holland, told the Portland Press Herald that having a memorial to her son and the others who were lost at sea is very meaningful for grieving families.

“When you lose someone at sea and you have no graveside to go to, that’s a really unique experience,” she said. “Sometimes, you just want a place to put flowers.”

The “EL FARO SALUTE” memorial was created by Warren artist Jay Sawyer, a Rockland native, former merchant mariner and graduate of Maine Maritime Academy. 

“I saw the news and it certainly affected me and grabbed my attention. It was on my mind a lot,” said Sawyer, who also goes by the name “J-BONE,” in a video promoting the project. “It brought back a lot of my own vivid memories of some of the storms we encountered in my shipping career. That’s what stirred it all up…”

The memorial features the torsos of a male and female merchant marine officer uniforms in a full salute position. They sit on a fabricated ship featuring the hand engraved names of the 33 crew members lost. Sawyer notes that that El Faro is Spanish for “the light house" and if you look through the portals on the boat you can see out to the light house in Rockland’s busy harbor. The officers are situated like their standing on the stern of a ship, their eyes cast towards the heavens, as if they were attending a funeral at sea. 

Mariners, their families and people from all over the country who had no connection to the lost crew members donated to fund the project. 

“My son was the first in our family to join this community, so we weren’t familiar,” said Roberts. “But it’s such a close and supportive community. They just take care of each other.”