Hundreds of people turned out Thursday night to celebrate the life of lost fisherman Micah Battersbee at an emotional candlelight service to mark what would have been his 30th birthday.

Family and friends wept and read tributes to the young father, who died when the New Nuts fishing boat sank off the coast of Bermuda on January 7 this year. Among the congregation at the ceremony on Shelly Bay field in Hamilton Parish was Catherine Lymbery, the long-time partner of Alan Edness, who also died in the tragic incident, and only survivor Bobby Lambe.

Premier Jennifer Smith, who was a cousin of Mr. Edness and a friend of Mr. Battersbee's mother, also paid tribute, along with Housing Minister Senator Col. Burch and Government MP Derrick Burgess.

They joined the scores of others who sang, prayed and held their candles in memory of the Devonshire man who had accomplished so much in his short life.

Mr. Battersbee's mother, Romelle Battersbee, said: "Happy Birthday, my son. Thirty years ago God loaned you to me. His plans were already made but I could not see."

She said she had always been proud of her son, and missed him dearly, but knew they would be reunited one day.

Mr. Battersbee's sister Malika, wearing a tee- shirt with his photograph on the front, broke down as she remembered the many good times they shared.

She said: "I can't begin to explain the pain I am feeling knowing that you are no longer physically with us. I love you and there is nothing that could ever change that. No matter how many arguments or fights we had - I know deep down inside you didn't mean to hurt me and that only made me love you even more.

"Just as I love you, I love your son - my nephew - and my promise to you is that I will look out for him, your beautiful Machi. I will do my best to help him heal from your loss."

And she added: "Micah, you lived a good life - a life that some men your age never get to live. So, you go on my brother, rest in peace, and just know that I love you and nothing can divide us."

AME Pastor James Alton Thompson officiated at the ceremony, while singer Lyn Williams sang.

And as the congregation lit their candles signifying prayer to God, eyes welled among everyone as "Amazing Grace" filled the atmosphere.

A poem, written by Mr. Battersbee's cousin Penny Powell, who is overseas, said none of the family could understand why he had died, but felt that it was God's will.

And she said they took solace in the fact that the sea tragedy happened so quickly, so his suffering will have been minimised.

The poem read: "I am comforted by the fact that you loved the sea, and that's just where God wanted you to be.

"Through a wave, he carried you on home, ascended, no longer left to roam."