BY HAL MURRAY
The Blessing of the Fleet will be held Saturday, May 3, here in Edenton. Hosted by the Edenton Yacht Club, the tradition has its roots in religion and coastal communities as an act recognizing the importance, respect for, and hazards encountered by those who make the waters their livelihood. In modern times, Blessing of the Fleet has expanded to recreational boaters who simply enjoy community and time on the water.
All boats of any size and means of propulsion are encouraged to be part of the procession past the town dock.
The boats will gather in Pembroke Creek between Day beacon 4 and 6 by 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. start led by the Chowan County Sheriff’s Office. We hope the Sheriff will use that beautiful boat built by Regulator.
Boats will proceed from Pembroke Creek to the waterfront and be blessed by two local clergy: the Rev. Melody Perdue of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Navy Chaplain Hayes Perdue, and Jonathan Tobias of the Orthodox faith. They will be stationed at the end of the breakwater.
Tobias, who has officiated at several Blessing of the Fleet events, said the holy water used for the blessing is a sign of God renewing His fallen creation.
“The blessing of the fleet is a beautiful, spiritual event. The holy water used for the blessing is a sign of God renewing His fallen creation. The priests (Revs. Melody and Hayes Perdue) who pray and bless with their hands pray for the sailors and their boat for protection against harm, providence of every need, and prosperity for ‘fair winds and following seas,’” Tobias said. “It is all a sign that Jesus still stands in the prow and speaks to the sea, ‘Peace be still.’”
The Rev. Melody Perdue said she is honored to be a part of the event.
“Many people share that they experience God’s presence in a special way in nature, so inviting God’s blessing on and presence in our time on the water is a perfect way to open our hearts to that encounter,” she said. “I look forward to being with everyone on Saturday!”
Decorate your boats accordingly and see you there!
For information, visit https://edentonthisweek.com/business/edenton-yacht-club/events/blessing-fleet
Following the Blessing of the Fleet, The Edenton Yacht Club will host the Gil Burroughs Spring Regatta. The Spring Racing series has been named in honor of Burroughs, a founding member of the Edenton Yacht Club and longtime Fleet Captain. This is the third such regatta of the racing season for the club
Hal Murray for the Edenton Yacht Club.
