The Blessing of the Fleet

The Blessing of the Fleet is held annually on Palm Sunday at Matanzas Bay. It generally begins at noon with a procession from the Cathedral Basilica to the Marina. The ceremony dates back hundreds of years as those that take to the sea, in commercial and pleasure craft alike, receive a blessing from the Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine or the Pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. The ancient ceremony begins on the south side of the Bridge of Lions as vessels pass the St. Augustine Municipal Marina.

The event has its roots in the hopes of those who went to sea for a bountiful shrimp season when St. Augustine's harbor was filled with fleets of commercial trawlers. Today the tradition continues as those who fish, both commercially and for sport, seek blessings on their vessels for an abundant catch as well those who take to the waterways for recreation who seek safety upon the water and a safe return home.

These days the majority of boats in the line for a blessing are no longer shrimp boats, some are used for other commercial fishing and some are pleasure boats. The ceremony usually follows the 11 a.m. Palm Sunday Mass in the Cathedral Basilica. A walking procession moves toward the St. Augustine Municipal Marina as boats line up to pass by the dock for the blessing. Boats are required to be lined up by noon. The Bishop or Pastor uses a traditional blessing: "May the peace and blessing of the Almighty God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit descend upon these ships and upon all who shall be in them and remain forever."

St. Augustine held its first Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet on Palm Sunday in 1946. The second ceremony, on March 30, 1947, is preserved in a large photographic mural at City Hall. It was held in front of the Castillo de San Marcos. The mural is believed to have been part of a display at the 1964 World's Fair in New York. A similar photograph from a slightly different angle ran on The St. Augustine Record's front page April 3, 1947, credited as an "AP Aerial Photo by Carver Harris." He was a St. Augustine photographer. The newspaper said 100 shrimp boats were blessed by then-Cathedral Pastor, the Rev. Daniel C. Hagerty. Thousands watched from the bayfront. The story said Hagerty would lead the procession from the Cathedral, after the Palm Sunday Mass but would leave it at the Usina Dock, south of the Castillo, to board the lead shrimp boat. Hagerty, the story said, would bless each boat as the boat he was on moved among them. A parade of the boats would then follow. The ceremony was discontinued after several years. In 1958, the Ancient City Game-Fish Association wanted to renew the tradition; the first event was coordinated by the late Prime Beaudoin.

The City of St. Augustine produces the Blessing of the Fleet with funding from the St. Johns County TDC.

Rules of Procedure

This event is permitted and regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. No reservations or entries forms or fees are required. Boaters participate at their own risk and no liability is assumed by any sponsoring organization or governmental agency.

• All boats must be powered.
• Boats will assemble in organized groups no later than 12:00pm (Noon) in the Matanzas River south of the Bridge of Lions. Boats not affiliated with clubs or organizations should join a group of boats, anchor, and wait for radio instructions.
• Boats equipped with a marine VHF radio will monitor Channel 68 and wait for instructions. There must be no transmissions on this channel except in the case of an emergency. Boats without radios will stand by boats so equipped to receive verbal information from those skippers.
• The Blessing of the Fleet will be led by an official vessel followed by (a) trawlers and commercial fishing craft, (b) craft over 37 feet, and (c) all other craft.
• Boat speed should be set to maintain a close and safe distance from other boats.
• Boats will proceed north toward the Bridge of Lions and then make a wide turn to port to pass directly abreast the end of the Municipal Marina. No wake rules must be observed during the pass by the Municipal Marina.
• After passing the Municipal Marina, boats will continue south. No boat is permitted to go north or through the Bridge of Lions until the completion of the entire ceremony.
• Traffic control boats will be in the area and will assist if requested. Participants are reminded that this is a solemn occasion and are asked to:
  • Avoid loud engine noise, music, raised voices or unseemly conduct.
  • Keep beverage containers out of sight and do not discard any trash into the water; and
  • While passing the Municipal Marina and receiving the blessing, men should remove hats and all on board should wear shirts or suitable coverings.