Blessing of the Fleet

The centuries-old Blessing of the Fleet is a maritime tradition shared by sailors, fishermen, merchant mariners, and navies around the world. The ceremony offers a prayer for the safety of crews and their ships, traditionally given by a clergyman at the water’s edge.

Each spring, the United States Navy Memorial hosts its annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony in Washington, D.C., but ANYONE can join us to honor our nation’s maritime heritage and the men and women who have shaped our Sea Services.

The ceremony’s main highlight is when the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guards pour water from the Seven Seas and Great Lakes into the fountains, symbolically ushering in the spring season.