Portuguese Navy honours fishermen lost at sea

Portuguese Naval officials returned to St. John's Friday morning for the annual wreath laying ceremony to honour thecrew of the Portuguese White Fleet who died off the coast of Newfoundland.

The tradition began in 2012, when thePortuguese Navy searched for the unmarked grave ofDionisioEsteves.

Esteves, 26, was a fisherman who sailed on the Santa MariaManuela anddied while fishing in 1966.

His grave is located in Mount Carmel Cemetery, where the wreath-laying ceremony takes place.

Navy vessel Figuera Da Foz came into port in St. John's on Friday, delivering a newly-designated monument for the unmarked grave.

For centuries, St. John's was the port of call for the White Fleet large fishing vessels from Portugal known for their white sails.

They came in search of cod and forged a bond with the people of Newfoundland.

Watchvideoof Friday's ceremony in the player.