The Vero Beach Yacht Club partnered with the City of Vero Beach to host a Centennial version of their annual Blessing of the Fleet recently from the docks of the Vero Beach Municipal Marina.
As a crowd of boat enthusiasts, local dignitaries, Yacht Club officers and members looked on, more than 50 motorized and non-motorized vessels floated down the Intracoastal Waterway to the marina.
There, local clergy blessed each boat as they slowly made their way along in a nautical procession; wishing ships and crews safe travels along the waterways. Crew members, in turn, threw flowers in thanks for the blessing.
The Yacht Club had launched the City of Vero Beach’s Centennial Celebration last year with the 2018 Blessing of the Fleet and wanted to anchor the closing events as well, by opening it up to include boaters from other yacht clubs and water-based groups. Yachts and sailboats, kayaks and even a paddle-boarder with a pair of canine first mates participated.
“Generally, it’s just powerboats, but we wanted to include them all – motorized and non-motorized,” explained Toby Jarman, VBYC Blessing of the Fleet chairman.
The Vero Beach Police Department led the armada with all the pomp and circumstance due the flotilla, as Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish & Wildlife boats maintained safety on the lagoon.
“We want to thank our law enforcement friends who help make boating a safe experience for all of us,” said Jarman. He noted that the Yacht Club hosts the annual event as a way of reminding everyone of the profound impact boating has had on the history and culture of Vero Beach.
Adding an extra dose of divine sanction, several dolphins made an appearance just before the close of the celebration. It was a fitting reminder to all that we are not the only ones who enjoy playing in our area waterways. After the boats were safely moored, captains and their first mates gathered at the Vero Beach Yacht Club for a barbecue.
The Yacht Club, a private club established in 1926, has been a longstanding favorite gathering place for local boaters to socialize both on and off the water.
For more information, visit verobeachyachtclub.com.
Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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