Share: 

Maritime Day brings nautical lovers to Lewes

Canalfront festival kicks off Lightship Overfalls season
Sharon and Josh Blumental of Lewes make their way down the Lightship Overfalls ramp after a visit to the historic ship on Maritime Day May 17. They said they always learn something new when they visit. The annual event is a celebration of Lewes’ nautical heritage and the Overfalls’ season kickoff. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
May 22, 2025

Sharon and Josh Blumental made their way down the ramp of the Lightship Overfalls after touring the historic big red boat. The Lewes residents were enjoying the annual Maritime Day festival in Canalfront Park May 17.

“It’s always nice. We learn more every time we come,” Josh said.

The festival celebrates the city’s rich maritime history and serves as the official season kickoff for the lightship.

Dave Shook, Overfalls Foundation president, said the ship is looking good.

“It takes a lot of volunteers, a lot of work and attention to shine the ship and get it ready. It’s a reflection of all the people in the organization,” Shook said.

The ship had been listing to its starboard side during the winter. But thanks to the Lewes Fire Department filling one of the ballast tanks with 750 gallons of water, the Overfalls is sitting straight again.

“It didn’t immediately work, but five weeks later, I drove by and it’s level. Mother Nature believes in us and our efforts,” Shook said.

Shook also unveiled a new fundraising initiative called Link to the Future. He said people can buy a link in an anchor chain and dedicate it to someone.

The chain will be placed around the foundation’s new museum workshop that will soon be built next to the Monomoy pavilion in Canalfront Park. A plaque with names will be placed on the building.

A ceremony was held to induct two new members into the Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame: Rear Adm. John E. Lee and Heath Gehrke.

Lee, a Wilmington native, was a highly decorated officer. He was a three-time recipient of the Navy Cross, the service’s highest honor. He commanded submarine bases in Connecticut and California. Lee also officially accepted the Navy’s first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus.

Lee is the uncle of Preston Lee, a member of the Lewes Board of Public Works. Preston said his uncle might be the most-decorated World War II officer from Delaware.

The second inductee was Heath Gehrke, the Delaware River and Bay Authority’s director of ferry operations.

Their names will be engraved on a granite monument next to the Overfalls.

Maritime Day gave nautical lovers a lot to enjoy.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Heron and pilot boat Brandywine were moored at the city dock in 1812 Memorial Park.

The Cape May, N.J.-based Heron was often tasked with providing security off Gordons Pond while former President Joe Biden was at his North Shores home.

The Lewes Fire Department’s rescue boat, Cape Water Taxi and the New Hope Canoe Club Ministry Team Atlantic’s outrigger canoe all plied the waters of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

 

The Sussex County Shanty Singers perform traditional seafaring songs on the stern of the Overfalls. The big red boat was open for tours to kick off the summer season.
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Heron was moored at the city dock and open for tours. The Cape May, N.J.-based ship often provided security off of Gordons Pond when former President Joe Biden was in town.
The newest inductees into the Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame joined officials for a photo by the Overfalls. Shown are (l-r) Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; Dave Shook, Overfalls Foundation president; Amy Marasco, Lewes mayor; Cathy Gorman; Preston Lee, Lewes Board of Public Works board member and uncle of hall of fame inductee Rear Adm. John E. Lee; hall of fame inductee Heath Gehrke, Delaware River and Bay Authority director of ferry operations; and Mike Safina, former Overfalls Foundation president.
The medal that was awarded to the newest inductees of the Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame.
The Lightship Overfalls dominates the view in Canalfront Park during Maritime Day. The event brought a host of vendors to the park.
The Lewes Fire Department’s rescue boat sails by the festival on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.
The Cape Water Taxi’s boat, Discovery, is tied up at the dock in Canalfront Park.
Judy and Pat Lynch talk with the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Heron during Maritime Day. Pat is a member of the Overfalls Foundation.
The bridge of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Heron. The pilot boat Brandywine is moored just ahead of it at 1812 Memorial Park.
Sharon Dalton from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, left, and Peyton Paulk, a crew member on the Heron, were on the bridge to answer questions about the ship.
The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute was among the many vendors taking part in Maritime Day. MERR rescues stranded marine mammals and sea turtles.
Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco officially opens Maritime Day. She said she is looking forward to the Lightship Overfalls’ new museum workshop that will soon be built just feet from where she was standing in Canalfront Park.
Visitors to the Lightship Overfalls learn about the history of the vessel, that is the centerpiece of Canalfront Park.
Scabby Pete at Maritime Day. Aarg!
The pilot boat Brandywine was open for tours at the city dock.

Most Popular

Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

Most Popular