Design for Memorial of Lost Fisherman to Debut

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.

Whats Up with the New Bridge?

NEWS FLASH!!!

John's Pass Bridge construction
When complete in 2010, the new John's Pass bridges will be wider, have nice sidewalks, broad shoulders, a new bridge tender house, four observation decks and a wider navigational channel. Until then, here's some useful contacts: The John's Pass Bridge Hotline: (727) 343-3100. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Or visit: www.dot.state.fl.us

  John's Pass Bridge connects Treasure Island with Madeira Beach along Florida's pristine west coast. Currently the bridge carries approximately 17,000 vehicles per day. John's Pass Bridge has undergone two major repairs over the past two decades and will now be replaced after 35 years of service.

The bridge is actually comprised of two separate two-lane structures. To demolish and construct the first new bridge, Flatiron will move traffic to the second bridge, with one lane of traffic in each direction. After construction of the first new bridge is complete, traffic will change again to accommodate the demolition and construction of the second bridge.

Each new bascule bridge will be 875 feet long and have increased clearance to allow for the passage of additional vessels while lifting the drawbridge less often. Additional work includes the replacement of bridge components, control house, and related systems.

September 19, 2008

New John's Pass bridge opens today

MADEIRA BEACH - Traffic began to roll across the new southbound bridge at John's Pass at about 4 a.m. today, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Northbound and southbound vehicles have been shifted to single lanes on the new bridge from 127th Avenue to 129th Avenue. The bridge provides two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, an eight-foot sidewalk, a new bridge tender house and two observation decks.

Construction on the northbound bridge will begin next week, and the whole project should be finished by 2010 at a cost of $76.5-million. It's expected to widen the navigational channel from 60 to 100 feet and increase vertical clearance by 8 feet.

Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer