Boaters cruise along St. Johns River for annual ‘Blessing of the Fleet’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite the windy conditions, dozens of local boaters cruised along the St. Johns River Sunday for the annual “Blessing of the Fleet.”

The Jacksonville Sail and Power Squadron held this special event that takes place every year on Palm Sunday.

“It goes back to Europe where the community may be involved with fishing, primarily they relied on the sea,” Father John Hugus said. “So then, the church developed the blessings for the safety of the sailors when they go out, so they come back home, that’s basically when it started.”

Father Hugus and Rev Carol Gates blessed the boaters with holy water and prayers.

“We bless them and the ship that they’re on, and we pray for them so that they have safe journeys through their time in the water,” Gates said.

Staging began at Metropolitan Park and the blessing took place at the Lone Sailor Statue on the Southbank of the St. Johns River.