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Design of memorial for lost fishermen to debut

Today's ceremony takes place at John's Pass Village.

By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA, Times Correspondent
Published September 12, 2007

The public will get its first look at the design of a planned memorial to fishermen lost at sea today during an unveiling ceremony at John's Pass Village.

The Florida Fishermen Lost at Sea Memorial, designed by Redington Beach artist Robert Epstein, was selected by the Safety Harbor-based Outdoor Arts Foundation. The group was tasked with the selection by the memorial's sponsors, the John's Pass Historic Fishing Village & Boardwalk Merchant's Association and the Old Salt Fishing Foundation.

Epstein's planned statue, one of nine designs submitted, will be fabricated from cold-cast bronze and will be erected on a large stone pedestal in the grassy area next to the bell tower.

"I wanted to create something that would evoke the courage of Florida's fishermen and remind us of the grace and power of nature," Epstein said.

The memorial sponsors have raised more than $16,000, but still need some $34,000 to fully fund the $50,000 project.

"We are hopeful that by this time next summer, the project will be completed," said Captain Mark Hubbard, who has directed the project.

Hubbard is also president of the John's Pass Merchants Association and owner/operator of Hubbard's Marina Deep Sea Fishing and Dolphin Watch located at John's Pass Boardwalk.

A scaled model of the proposed memorial will be shown at the annual Group Fest in October, he said.

The memorial project's Web site, www.floridafishermenlostatsea.com, allows visitors to view brief biographies of lost fishermen and submit names and backgrounds of others lost at sea. Information on how donations can be made is also available.

Three or four fishermen are lost in the gulf each year, according to Hubbard.

One of the most recently lost fishermen listed on the Web site is Michael Costello, 29. He and his mate, John Molina, were lost in 2005 when Costello's vessel, the Gulf Coaster, disintegrated about 73 miles west of John's Pass. Costello's mother, Shirley Costello, will participate in today's ceremony.

Among other lost fishermen listed on the site are shark fishermen Kenny Nash, 35, and Billy Gilbert, who were lost in 1984 when their open 24-foot Thompson outboard disappeared about 30 miles west of Indian Rocks Beach.

Also mentioned is Captain Wilson Hubbard, 78, who died at home in 1994. Hubbard was a pioneer charter boat operator and founder of Hubbard Enterprises at John's Pass. In the 1950s he established the first Gulf Coast half-day fishing party boat, and began a marathon 18-hour fishing trip for hard-core anglers. He opened the Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant at John's Pass Village in 1979.

Today's ceremony will be marked by the first ringing of the recently installed Fishermen's Lost At Sea Bell, as well as the presentation of $1,000 checks to Madeira Beach Elementary and Madeira Beach Middle schools.

IF YOU GO

The ceremony

The Florida Fishermen Lost at Sea Memorial will be unveiled at 5 p.m. today at the bell tower at the south end of John's Pass Boulevard in Madeira Beach.

[Last modified September 11, 2007, 22:37:56]