From fishing boats, pontoons, pirate ships, tiki boats and everything in between, 140 vessels made their way through Destin harbor for the 69th annual Blessing of the Fleet on May 14.
Nearly seven decades ago, the beloved tradition started with just a handful of boats with the local churches praying for safety and a prosperous year for the fishermen.
Today, the blessing is for all who make their living on the water. The blessing is headed up by Immanuel Anglican Church, with clergy from other churches in the area participating and speaking a word of blessing.
And for area captains, they wouldn’t miss it for the world.
“To kick off the season every year, having pastors pray for us and bless our passage and safe return, it just means a lot,” said Capt. Steve Brown of the Lock-n-Load.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Brown said, noting he has participated in the last 25.
For the Capt. Harold Staples of the Al-Lin, and a 53-year participant, he almost comes to tears talking about the blessing and what it means to his fishing family.
Prior to the blessing of the boats, about 200 people gathered under the big tent behind Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer for a worship service with singing, a testimony, a sermon and individual prayer for families.
Capt. Taylor Waterfield of the charter boat Twilight gave his testimony.
He talked of two things he loves to do ― hunt and fish ― and how the Lord has blessed him to be able to do both.
Waterfield talked of how he has been coming to the Blessing of the Fleet his whole life and how he grew up in a Christian home.
However, unlike others that have given testimony about escaping an addiction or a dark place to become a Christian, he could not recall a light-switch moment.
“I just always felt like I had a close relationship with the Lord,” Waterfield said, noting he prays often.
He did mention a couple of trials he has had on the water over the years, but he always felt that “the Lord has his hand on him,” he said, keeping him safe.
Pastor Rob Cornelison of Immanuel Anglican Church brought the sermon.
He related the life of a fisherman to that of a farmer: Both spend a lot of time on their equipment, and the job is weather dependent.
“If the weather is good, you go,” he said.
And the off season for both is about the same, noting the farmer hunts in the offseason like the fishermen do.
However, he reminded them that “Jesus is in charge of everything” and has “power over everything.”
Following the sermon, families made their way up front for prayer, before the pastors gathered up front to pray for families, before making their to the boats for the blessing of the vessels.
The boats parade through the harbor and stop in front of a barge at the end of the docks at Fishing Fleet Marina, where various pastors from local churches offer prayer for captains and crew.
While the boats were being blessed, people had the opportunity to enjoy a fish fry, courtesy of Brotula’s.
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Destin’s Blessing of the Fleet honors a 69-year tradition
Reporting by Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log / The Destin Log
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
