Blessing of the Fleet

Quilcene Blessing of the Fleet

Sponsors 

Habitat for Humanity, Pacific Seafood, Jamestown S’Klallam

Vision

A celebration of Quilcene’s maritime and natural heritage.

Mission 

To bring together the community and those stewards of the waterfront in a celebration of Quilcene Bay’s rich maritime legacy and unique beauty.

Event Details 

An ecumenical blessing ceremony and parade of vessels, traditional live maritime music, information kiosks, Bay tours, waterfront open houses, and local foods. The event is free and open to the public.

Hosted by

Quilcene Harbor Yacht Club

Schedule of Events

10:00 Food truck (Chimacum HS) in place and operating. Event participants occupy their respective information kiosks. Yacht Club open house begins. Live traditional maritime music begins and continues throughout the day.

11:15 Blessing vessel underway from Herb Beck Marina with blessing crew - proceeds to anchorage. Small craft participants begin to muster at foot of Bay and safety boat(s) co-located to insure boats position for blessing maneuvers.

11:45 Introduction and welcome. Navy chaplain (most senior in PNW region – USN CAPT) and Tribal blessings on stage - also position on blessing vessel.

12:00 Signal cannon and bagpipes mark start of Blessing ceremony - lead boat positions off blessing vessel. Other craft follow. Bagpipe immediately follows cannon signal. Participants open kiosks. Music resumes.

12:15 Water taxi/Bay tours commence from Herb Beck Marina. 

1:00 Afloat Blessings conclude. Blessing vessel returns to marina. Music, food and information activities continue.

1:45 Cold plungers at Quilcene public beach.

14:00 Event concludes and crew begins break-down.

Participants

U.S. Navy, Quilcene Harbor Yacht Club, Habitat for Humanity (East Jefferson County), Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Organization, Pacific Seafood, Jefferson Land Trust, Northwest Watershed Institute, Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Chimacum culinary and Quilcene parking crew students, and Quilcene Historical Museum, and Panthera/local wildlife tracking group. Invited: Marine Resource Committee; Washington Department of Natural Resources; Port of Port Townsend; Quilcene, Brinnon and Chimacum Schools Environmental and History classes.

Sailing Instructions for Parade Vessels

• All vessels are welcome to participate – by sail, motor, or paddle.

• All parade vessels must assemble at the foot of Quilcene Bay (mid bay and just north of Fisherman’s and Frenchman’s Points) 11:15-11:45 AM - and as directed by safety vessels (boats will carry red burgees to identify themselves).

• Safety boats will organize parade vessels proceeding north towards the blessing vessel at 2-3 knots and at intervals of five boat lengths.

• Boaters should be aware of wake size – being respectful of surface wave impact on smaller vessels.

• All vessels must be under power in the parade by engine or paddle.

• Paddle vessels are encouraged to proceed as groups in their parade positioning.

• Vessels will pass by the bow of the blessing vessel which will be anchored off of the marina, and once pass the blessing vessel will proceed south on a parallel track – clearing the parade route towards the foot of the Bay.

• The marina boat ramp will be open in the morning to allow for launching. Boaters are encouraged to launch early to avoid congestion. A reminder that there is a marina boat launch/trailer parking fee. Launch fee/parking is $15.00 (cash/check/credit card) if you don’t have a Port of Port Townsend launch pass. A yearly pass is free for disabled vets.

• Water taxi will be operating from the marina for Bay tours and to assist in bringing boat crews to and from shore. Schedule TBD.

• All vessels are encouraged to “dress ship” in celebration of the event.

• All parade boat crews must be wearing certified safety gear during this event while underway.