Today is the anniversary of the loss of the 180 foot buoy tender Blackthorn which resulted in the death of 23 Coast Guardsmen.
The story is here. There is information about the memorial to the loss here. And there is recognition of the heroism of one of the most junior members of the crew here.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
More here: http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-honors-fallen-blackthorn-shipmates/2013/01/28/
(Thanks to Lee for bringing to my attention)
The Coast Guard is again marking the anniversary. Press release below:
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
305-965-4672
PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom
Media Availability: Coast Guard to hold 40th anniversary memorial of Cutter Blackthorn collision
WHO: Coast Guard members of local units and dignitaries
WHAT: The 40th anniversary memorial service for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision
WHEN: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Blackthorn Memorial Site FL-55 St. Petersburg, Florida 33752
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard is holding a memorial service Tuesday for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Tuesday marks the 40th anniversary of the Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers.
Notable dignitaries include:
Secretary Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security
Adm. Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard
Rear Adm. Brendan McPherson, Military Advisor to the Secretary
Rear Adm. Eric Jones, Commanding Officer of the Seventh Coast Guard District
Master Chief Jason Vanderhaden, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard
The ceremony includes a wreath laying by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, an honor platoon representing each lost soul, acknowledgement of each Blackthorn victim, gun salute, laying of roses, and presiding official comments.
Media interested in attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP no later than 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 27 by contacting Coast Guard Public Affairs Tampa Bay at 305-965-4672.
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-USCG-
More here: https://compass.coastguard.blog/2020/01/24/the-long-blue-line-40th-anniversary-of-blackthorn-lost-but-not-forgotten/
News Release
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
305-965-4672
PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard to hold 41st anniversary memorial of Cutter Blackthorn collision
Editor’s Note: Media interested in attending the ceremony are requested to RSVP no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 27 by contacting Coast Guard Public Affairs Tampa Bay at 305-965-4672. Only credentialed media will be granted access to the event. All media will be required to have face masks.
WHO: Coast Guard members of local units, dignitaries, and survivors
WHAT: The 41st anniversary memorial service for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision
WHEN: Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Blackthorn Memorial Site FL-55 St. Petersburg, Florida 33752
ST.PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard is holding a memorial service Thursday for the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn collision at the Blackthorn Memorial site in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Thursday marks the 41st anniversary of the Blackthorn colliding with the tanker vessel Capricorn near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on Jan. 28, 1980, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 50 Blackthorn crewmembers.
Due to the COVID- 19 safety guidelines, the event is not open to the public this year.
Notable dignitaries include:
Vice Adm. Steven Poulin, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Atlantic Area
Rear Adm. Eric Jones, Commanding Officer of Seventh Coast Guard District
Capt. Matthew Thompson, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg
The ceremony includes a wreath laying by Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, an honor platoon representing each lost soul, acknowledgement of each Blackthorn victim, gun salute, laying of roses, and presiding official comments.
Amazing visual representation of the Blackthorn collision posted on YouTube. Note: It’s over an hour long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II7jld-SS84