Wreaths were placed overboard to pay tribute to seafarers who never returned home at an annual ceremony yesterday.

The MV Oleander sailed from Hamilton at 8am, and the Guild of the Holy Compassion embarked on pilot boat St David to meet the container ship near Murray’s Anchorage, east of St George’s Island, as she made her way to the open ocean.

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, blessed the wreaths and prayed for those mariners who have lost their lives at seas.

He referenced the St George’s men from the pilot gig Ocean Queen, who perished in a violent storm off the East End on January 27, 1927.

The Ocean Queen was found floating off South Shore a week later, but the men’s bodies were never recovered.

Watched by the crew of the Oleander, wreaths were placed overboard by pilots and shipping executives.

As he blessed the wreaths, Bishop Dill said: “We cast these wreaths upon the waters in remembrance of all who have gone down to the depths.”

Derek Tully, the guild secretary, added: “We are here today to remember those lives lost at sea and to keep their memories in our hearts.”