History of the Occoquan Blessing
of the Fleet

For years, the Occoquan community sponsored an annual Blessing of the Fleet. In about 1990 or so, the tradition was discontinued. But in 1999, the Yacht Clubs of the Occoquan re-established the tradition. In 1999, nearly 70 boats participated in the event, which was facilitated by the Occoquan Flotilla of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

In 2000, the number of vessels blessed more than doubled, with about 114 vessels participating. And the supporters more than doubled, too: the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Tow Boat U.S (Potomac Marine), public safety crews, and the volunteers who donated their spare time by collecting and painting plastic milk jugs with orange paint, to mark the route so well, and stayed behind to laboriously pull the markers back out of the water afterward.

Chaplain Gunter's blessings from this year (2000) are quoted below, for those of you who would like a copy. The first one is the opening invocation. The second one is the prayer used to bless each boat as it hove into sight of the Blessing Boat, the "General Quarters."

The Invocation

Eternal Father, who created the seas and the great waters of this good earth, we come here today to ask your blessings on us who find joy and serenity in running before the winds of your warm Presence. As we regard the beauty of your sunsets, may we thank You for eyes to see. As we hear the sounds of the wind and the waves, may we thank You who gave us ears to hear. And as we embrace the invigorating air, may we thank the God who gave us taste and smell to appreciate the good things in life. May we experience You in this ceremony today. Create and maintain among us cheerfulness and a good ship's spirit in all we do both ashore and afloat. Grant Fair weather in all our voyages and always bring us safely to port. Now bless those whose labors and skills have made this event possible. We pray in Your name. Amen.

Boat Blessing

Dear God, we commend to your gracious care the vessel known as ___________. May your blessing be on this good craft and all who sail in her. Bear her on with favorable winds and deliver her from harm upon the waters. Amen.

2011 Blessing of the Fleet

Planning is now in progress and volunteers from the Occoquan community are asked to contact ORMA to help with the Blessing on May 14 (11-2). Get on the ORMA mailing list by sending an e-mail to George Allen.

Blessing Flyer - PDF Notice to Mariners - PDF

Press Release - PDF

2010 Blessing of the Fleet

Planning is now in progress and volunteers from the Occoquan community are asked to contact ORMA to help with the Blessing on May 8 (11-2). Get on the ORMA mailing list by sending an e-mail to George Allen.

Blessing Flyer - PDF Notice to Mariners - PDF

Press Release - PDF

Canceled due to weather

2009 Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Pictures from the Blessing

2008 Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Press Release - PDF
Pictures from the Blessing

2007 Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Pictures from the Blessing

2006 Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Pictures from the 2006 Blessing

2005 Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Pictures from 2005 Blessing

2004 Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Signing of Papers to Start Dredging

2003 Blessing of the Fleet

The Occoquan Blessing of the Fleet was to be held on May 10, 2003, from 11am to 2pm, but the event was canceled due to bad weather.

Blessing Flyer - PDF	Notice to Mariners - PDF
Blessing Flyer - HTML	Notice to Mariners - HTML
Pictures from the cancellation party

History of the Occoquan Blessing of the Fleet