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