68th Annual Blessing of the Fleet

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Blessing of the Vessels that make their Living on the Sea, behind Brotula's Restaurant in Destin. 

4:00pm : Captain's Testimony, Worship and Prayer Service (public invited) 

5:15pm :  Blessing of the vessels begins followed by Brotula's Fish Fry for all. (Donations requested.)

 

This Destin, Florida tradition was created more than 67 years ago to ask God's blessing over each boat in the Destin Fishing Fleet. It has now expanded to include prayers for any vessel, captain and crew THAT MAKES THEIR LIVING ON THE SEA. 

In 2024, more than 158 vessels were blessed!


To register your commercial vessel, please email immanuel@iacdestin.org your Vessel name, Captain's name, business phone number, business email and mailing address. Thank you captains!


For the past 20 years, Destin-area churches, civic leaders and businesses have joined together to offer a variety of additional events during the week of Ascension Day. "DESTIN'S WEEK OF BLESSINGS" offers faith-focused family-oriented activities which create greater opportunities to bless and support the Destin community. 


As always, Thursday's Blessing of the Fleet is hosted by Immanuel Anglican Church. Immanuel is excited to team with other area churches who share the vision of preserving Destin's character as a faith-and-family-oriented community. .

 Blessing OF THE FLEET ~ 

DESTIN'S SECOND OLDEST TRADITION

WHY A BLESSING OF THE FLEET?  

Destin's rich past has always been closely tied to the sea and the enduring faith of the fishermen who formed the early community of Destin. Each year since 1958 this heritage has been celebrated on Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter, with the Blessing of the Fleet, Destin’s second oldest tradition. (Destin’s oldest tradition is its annual Fishing Rodeo which was first held in 1948.)

 

God continues to richly bless our "Little Fishing Village" and we shall continue to call upon Him to bless, preserve, and protect those who make their living from our bountiful seas.  Today, captains of fishing boats and commercial watercraft of all types receive a blessing. Their vessels are easily identified by the small blue Blessing of the Fleet flag which flies from their mast.