The weather was perfect and the marina was full. Thanks to John Hanson & Bev Dolezal, we have many pictures of the Blessing of the Fleet.
2008 Blessing of the Fleet program.
The Clearwater Yacht Club enjoys a number of traditional events. The annual Blessing of the Fleet is one of these special occasions and the CYC Blue Gavel chapter has been hard at work to make 2008 another success. What yachtsman doesn't enjoy the opportunity to “Dress Ship” and crew, gather family and friends together and celebrate another year of good times and the memories of departed friends.
The morning will start with coffee and donuts at 10am and the captain's meeting will be at 10:30. If you're coming by boat and can't get dock space for the captain's meeting, you will get the general idea by reading below. The lead boat in the parade will be Running Bare; if you form into line anywhere convenient behind her and listen on VHF 72, you'll be fine.
The ceremonies begin at 1100 with the traditional Flag Ceremony and then our Fleet Chaplain; Monsignor Mulligan will bless our boats, applying a liberal application of holy water together with the necessary prayers to help keep our vessels safe for another year. The boats will leave the dock shortly afterwards and form into a parade in front of the Club. After completing a couple of anti-clockwise circumnavigations of our basin and being reviewed by Commodore Fleming, the piping of a lament will signal the beginning of the Memorial Service. This will be dedicated to the memory of members and friends who passed away during the year.
If you have a power or sailboat, you are encouraged to “Dress Ship” and crew and take part in these celebrations. When passing the Commodore in front of the dockmaster's tower, your cannon salute will be acknowledged. All skipper's are advised to have VHF radios tuned to channel 72, that will be our working channel during the parade and the crew ashore will use channel 72 to broadcast the memorial service.
If you're a member without a boat, please come; no-one who wanted to go out on a boat for the Blessing has ever been left ashore.
After the traditional part of the day is complete, the Tiki Bar will be open!
Please attend the Blessing of the Fleet and stay and enjoy the weekend, you will be glad you did.
Check out the pictures of the 2007 Blessing of The Fleet.