Drone photographer Joanna Steidle captured this fantastic footage of the blessing of the fleet.

Well known local fishing legend, Vinnie Grimes, witnessed a ceremonial blessing of various boats while serving in the Navy at Port Hueneme in Southern California during the Korean War in 1951, it made a lasting impression. “I thought it would be nice if we did something similar here in Montauk,” he said, and so, thanks to Vinnie, the annual Montauk Blessing of the Fleet was born in 1955.

Montauk’s Blessing of the Fleet is both a joyful even, welcoming the new season, but also a sombre even, remembering those of the local fishing community who died during the past year.

On Sunday, June 13th, Montauk celebrated its 65th Annual Blessing of the Fleet. Boats of all kinds, commercial and pleasure, large and small, paraded by the Town Dock while local clergy representing various denominations stood aboard a Viking Fleet Vessel blessing them as they passed the dock. After that, the boats gathered at the Harbor Buoy for the laying of the Remembrance Wreaths, paying tribute to those of the local fishing community lost during the previous year.