F/V Glutton, captained by Beau Gribbin, was all decked out and filled with friends and family as she led the procession at the Blessing of the Fleet.
By Doreen Leggett
Provincetown’s Blessing of the Fleet has been a tradition for 77 years and this year Beau Gribbin, captain of F/V Glutton, led the procession of fishing boats past Bishop Edgar da Cunha, standing on the ferry Provincetown II, to be sprinkled with holy water. The Glutton carried a statute of St. Peter, patron saint of fishermen, on her bow. As every year, fishermen carried the statue from St. Peter’s church on the hill down to MacMillan Wharf for the celebration.
“(Fishermen) went into inclement, unpredictable, dangerous seas to fish, so they could bring food to so many people and support their families,” said da Cunha. “They wanted God’s blessing to go with them.”
Hopes for a year of fair winds, following seas and bountiful catch.
The blessing starts at St. Peter’s Church with a mass and then fishermen and supporters carry a statue of the saint down to MacMillan Wharf.
Families and friends of commercial fishermen carry down banners of past and present boats in the fleet.
The procession makes its way to the pier from the church on the hill.
Vessels circle beyond the breakwater before they are blessed.
F/V Donna Marie, owned by Chris King of Cape Tip Seafood pictured with F/V Kahuna, owned by Beau Gribbin.. Each boat, and its captain, as well as a little history, was announced as the boat approached for the blessing.
Captain Chris Merl and F/V Isabel and Lilee, closest to the breakwater, brought along Eddie Ritter’s dory to be blessed. The late Ritter is considered the last doryman of Provincetown.
F/V Sea Wolf, captained by Tom Smith of Orleans. He has been fishing out of Provincetown for more than 40 years.
Spectators stood on the ferry for a close-up view of the blessing.
Bishop Edgar da Cunha stands on the Provincetown II to bless the boats going by.