Day of Remembrance of El Faro sailors and crew

To take place at Noon
on Saturday, 27 September 2025

44 Atlantic Street,
Rockland, Maine

This is a Rain or Shine event…

October 1st, 2025 will mark ten years since 33 souls were lost to the sea on the fateful day that the SS El Faro encountered Hurricane Joaquin, resulting in the worst maritime casualty to take place in 35 years. The program for this ceremony is being coordinated to include many with a direct or distant connection to the tragedy.

Thank you for your interest in this important community gathering which will be held along the beautiful Rockland Harbor Trail overlooking Penobscot Bay and Rockland Harbor at the site of El Faro Salute!. This prominent Lost At Sea memorial has transformed this precise location in our city from a space to a place. This place, at the intersection of industry and culture, serves proudly to honor the memories and legacies of the El Faro crew and the five Polish riders aboard performing modifications in the Engine Room while at sea.

Following the Remembrance Ceremony attendees are invited to travel 12 miles to the studio of artist Jay Sawyer, aka JBONE, in Warren, Maine and socialize in the spirit of remembrance, love and celebration of the lives lost that impacted so many in our community here in Knox County, Maine and extending along the coastal borders and all corners of our nation. There will be a pig roast, chicken BBQ, many fixin’s and music.

The location of El Faro Salute! is appropriate for this ceremony not only due to the rich maritime heritage of this coastal community, but more importantly because of the 33 lives taken by Hurricane Joaquin, two of them hailed directly from Rockland and were very productive and well respected members of our community. The loss of Danielle Randolph and Dylan Meklin was a strong blow to countless people in this region. Their community is proud to host this symbol of collective compassion for all who share in the immense losses that were so widespread in the professional maritime community and hope that many of you will be able to join us in remembering the El Faro crew and riders.