Thursday 27 May 2010

A fine day for a special Blessing

THE 21st Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday was a huge success, marking 240 years since Lieutenant James Cook sailed through the Whitsundays in 1770.

The annual Blessing of the Fleet is a traditional ceremony combining Christian traditions with the Whitsundays' boating culture.

It is timed to coincide with Whitsunday, or Pentecost Sunday, when James Cook sailed through and named the Whitsunday Passage.

The blessing is held early on Pentecost Sunday at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

A Christian blessing is given to the local yachts and power craft so they may have a safe and prosperous year.

This year, the Anglican Bishop of North Queensland Bill Ray officiated.

He was assisted by Father Chris Yule, from Whitsunday Parish.

Organiser Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom, who founded the event with Father Keith Felgate, now retired, said it had been a good day with dozens of boats turning up.

“It was nice, light weather – just a gentle sailing breeze,” he said.

The blessing also marked the start of the Whitsunday winter sailing season.

“We had spectators from Mackay and Townsville and a lot of local parents, as there was a youth training weekend at the sailing club,” Mr Van Blarcom said.

“It was good to see a lot of young people sailing and participating. The safety boats were all decked out with flags, it looked great.”

Mr Van Blarcom said while the blessing was a Christian ceremony, the event was for everyone.

(courtesy Whitsunday Times)

Monday 10 May 2010

Bishop aboard for 21st Blessing

Bishop of North Queensland, Bill Ray will conduct the 2010 Blessing of the Fleet service on Whit Sunday May 23 at the Whitsunday Sailing Club Airlie Beach.
It will be 240 years since Whit Sunday was named in 1770 by 1st lieutenant James Cook and 21 years since the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach was started by Father Keith Felgate.

Blessing of the Fleet - 21 years Sunday May 23, 2010

Blessing of the Fleet - 21 years Sunday May 23, 2010

Our Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day.

A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate Whitsun Day and the naming of our area by first lieutenant James Cook in 1770. This year 2010 marks 240 years

Whitsun or Pentecost Sunday is on different dates each year as is Easter. Cook and his crew sailed through the magnificent passage he named Whitsunday on his voyage of adventure and discovery. In addition, Cook named Pentecost Island for the religious occasion.

If you saw the movie "The Perfect Storm," then you know how dangerous it can be to fish for a living or work and on the sea.

Indeed, traditional services of songs, prayers and scriptures focus on the reality reflected in the ancient Breton fisherman's prayer "O Lord, the sea is so wide and my boat is so small. Protect me."

Special thanks, recognition and prayers are given to those who serve on the sea, those of the Navy, merchant service, and the Water Police and rescue services who do a dangerous job to benefit all.

Father Keith Felgate was inspired to conduct an annual blessing of the fleet here at Whitsunday in 1989.

"As we conduct the Blessing of the Fleet on Whitsun Day my thoughts turn to Father Keith who in his retirement is no doubt also thinking of us" says co-founder Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom


"Father Keith gave me 'the call' so we formed the Blessing committee of two," Cap'n Dan recalls. "We knew the committee was too big, but it was a nice number to get together over a couple of beers and plan the Blessing."

Rev John Williams also contributed as an organiser and a sailor. In 2003, Rev Father Don Fernance of the Mission to Seafarers in Townsville conducted our service when Whitsun coincided with the Airlie Beach Rotary Boat Show. Rev Terry Ayling, minister of the Uniting Church, conducted the Blessing for four years.

In 2009, Bishop Bill Ray, Anglican Bishop of North Queensland conducted the service ably assisted my Fr Chris Yule of Whitsunday.

Bishop Bill will conduct the 2010 service for this our 240th or 21st anniversary depending how you look at it.

The Blessing of the Fleet on Whit Sunday is for those who go down to the sea in ships as, 'sailors are atheists, except when in a storm at sea.'

Community groups are invited to participate in the Blessing on the seafront lawn at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. For further information please contact the club or Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom 49464131 – 0407 676952 email: my.events@hotmail.com