What is the Blessing of the Fleet?
Passed down through generations of sailors, fishermen, merchant mariners, and navies around the world, the centuries-old “Blessing of the Fleet” ceremony is intended to safeguard crews and their ships. It is said to protect them from the danger of the seas through a traditional blessing given by a clergyman at the water’s edge.
As a tribute to our nation’s rich maritime heritage and the men and women who have contributed to its growth and success, the United States Navy Memorial hosts its annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony each spring.
Welcoming the Arrival of Spring
The ceremony’s main highlight is when sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Ceremonial Guard proceed across the “Granite Sea” on Navy Memorial Plaza to pour water from the Seven Seas and Great Lakes into the surrounding fountains. In doing so, the fountains are “charged with life” as they usher in the spring season.
Afterward, attendees are invited inside the Navy Memorial Visitor Center for a light reception featuring Navy Bean Soup from the White House Mess.
*A $15 donation or more will enter your name on the official printed commemorative program, mailed after the event, and include you on the list of ranked donors.