Blessing of the Fleet
Sun, Mar 24
|New Port Richey
The 50th Annual Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for Palm Sunday.
Time & Location
Mar 24, 2024, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
New Port Richey, 3926 Marine Pkwy, New Port Richey, FL 34652, USA
About the Event
The 50th Annual Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for Palm Sunday, March 24th, 2024, at the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club, 3926 Marine Pkwy, 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.
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, March 24th, 2024. Once on your boat and in the basin just west of the clubhouse, monitor channel 72 for instructions.
Commodore Brian Zamorski will begin the ceremony at 1:30 PM with the introduction of guests. The Sheriff’s Marine Patrol will lead the procession east along the North Channel following the ceremony at approximately 1:40 pm, and proceed 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.
The ceremony outside is open to the public, members and their guests only inside the club.
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 15th, 2024. For more info., contact Fleet Captain Paul Schroder, stumpoak1@gmail.com or 630-640-5387.
If you are not able to join us for the Blessing of the Fleet, please call the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club at (727) 845-4559 to join at another time to visit the Yacht Club which offers the Finest On-The-Water Dining, and view along with Wedding, Banquet and party facilities.