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The 49th Annual Blessing of the Fleet
The 49th Annual Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for Palm Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, at the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club, 3926 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. You do not need to be a member of the Yacht Club to participate. The ceremony is open to the public and all boats are welcome. Please bring your boat and have it blessed. Spectators coming by land can view the event from the seawall of the Yacht Club.
The doors open at 12:30 with the blessing of the boats beginning at approximately 2:00pm. The ceremony will he held outside and members and their guests only inside the club.
A special invitation is extended to boat owners in Gulf Harbors, Gulf Harbors Woodlands, Sea Forest and surrounding communities to participate in the shore side ceremony. Skippers should come to the Captains Meeting which will be held outside the Yacht Club near the floating docks at 12:30 PM, Palm Sunday, April 2nd, 2023. Once in your boat and in the basin just west of the clubhouse, monitor channel 72 for instructions.
Commodore Bill Gilmour will begin the ceremony at 1:00 PM with the introduction of guests. The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol will lead the procession east along the channel and back to the Yacht Club Basin to receive their blessing from Father Bill Fickel of St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church. Blessing of the Fleet Certificates will be issued to all participating boats.
Following the dockside service, all boats will follow the Marine Patrol for the laying of the wreaths or scattering of cremains. Anyone who wishes to attend the ceremony and dedicate the remains of a loved one is asked to contact Fleet Chaplin Pat Hermann 727-938-8088 or 727-947-2217 by March 23rd, 2023. For more info., contact Fleet Captain Rich Cantwell [email protected] or 727-424-5111
