Congratulations and thank you to all who made OYC/ORMA Blessing of the Fleet such a success! Some 114 vessels participated, it was very professionally managed, and it was enjoyed by all.

A special thanks to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Tow Boat U.S (Potomac Marine), public safety crews, chaplains, captains of the Blessing vessel (Bob Nolan), VIP vessel (Rudy Zimpel), Press boat (Tom Coldwell), Photo boat (Leo Fayette), and to all those who donated plastic milk jugs, spare time, orange paint, to mark the route so well, and to those who laboriously pulled the markers back out of the water afterward, while the rest of us headed off to enjoy an exceptionally beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Chaplain Gunter's blessing text is 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.