A tribute was held in Babylon Village Sunday to the baymen who worked and died on the water.

The ceremony featured a new statue by sculptor Jose Fernandez.

“The Bayman” pays homage to the men who made their living on the waters of the Great South Bay.

News 12's Rich Hoffman was at the event and shared the story of his father, a bayman who was killed by a drunken boater while on the water, when Hoffman was 4 years old.

The numbers of baymen have dwindled, but a few of those remaining were on hand at Sunday’s unveiling.

In addition to the history, organizers of the event say the health of the bay is vital to this area's future.