Blessing of the Fleet and Reading of Names Ceremony
Every year at 10:00 AM on the First Saturday in May, we meet at the Memorial to dedicate new names to add to the Wall, welcome those recently engraved, read each name on the Wall, and bless the commercial fishing fleet, as well as any other vessels wishing to participate (we've had pleasure craft, sailboats, tourboats, CBJ and USCG vessels, and even the Malaspina).
So as to maximize inclusivity, this annual ceremony is a secular event with a beautiful non-secular component. The Blessings given to participating vessels and the invocation are non-denominational. The list of names is read by a volunteer from the community, and those lost remembered by their loved ones as they each see fit. All are welcome.
Flowers are typically available at the ceremony, donated by Juneau's florists. A post-ceremony reception for attendees is generously provided by the Twisted Fish. Please be sure to thank them all!
The entire ceremony typically takes around 30-40 minutes and is broadcast on VHF Channel 10. Vessels wishing to participate in the blessing should muster near the Memorial by 10:00 AM.
Please dress for the weather.
If you are planning on participating in the Blessing of the Fleet as a skipper, feel free to contact us ahead of time with questions. It's pretty straightforward, though, so you can also just show up.
The first vessel to be blessed is the pre-arranged wreath-layer. They begin the ceremony already port tied to the PFO dock just below the Memorial (at A). Roughly ten minutes in, after an earlier standby warning, this vessel will be calle- for by name. They cast off, advance about 50 feet until they are abeam of the Memorial (at B), and then give the wreath to the Sea. As this happens, they will receive the first blessing. (Drop the wreath when the moment feels right, usually right after the blessing). Once this is complete (it's quick) the first vessel makes its exit to the Channel keeping right to allow room for the next vessel to enter the area in front of the Memorial.
The rest of the participating vessels hold station near the mouth of the cul-de-sac in front of the Memorial until the first vessel is making its exit. The second and all subsequent participating vessels enter and keep right, hugging the shore, presenting their Starboard sides to the Memorial. They are blessed as they pass, and then they hang a tight left U-turn and keep to the waterside on their way out.
There is typically a minute or so between each vessel. If the weather is good, more than one vessel can be in the narrow confines of the area in front of the Memorial at a time. Anything that can be done to safely expedite the blessing process is appreciated. But, if conditions present hazard, waiting for the area to clear before the next vessel enters is preferable.
It can be hard for those on shore to see when the last vessel has come through. We'll call on 10 if there is any uncertainty. We may also call on 10 if we are having difficulty reading your vessel's name.
There is no set order after the first boat. The pieces all just naturally fall into place.
Video of 2020 Virtual Ceremony
--If you have any feedback, particularly on pronunciation, please contact us.
Older programs wil be added as they are unearthed from paper archives. The first ceremony was in 1991. The Memorial Wall was largely completed in 1996.
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