Boats of New York Fishing Hamlet Blessed in Annual Ceremony

Boaters in Montauk, New York, took part in the fishing hamlet’s annual Blessing of the Fleet on June 13.

This drone footage by Joanna Steidle shows decorated vessels passing by robed clergymen, who give the boats their blessing. Onlookers can be seen gathered on the docks and shoreline.

According to local media, the tradition started in 1955 after a local fisherman witnessed a similar ceremony while stationed at a Californian naval base during the Korean War.

The tradition welcomes the new season and remembers those in the community that died over the past year, the Montauk Sun said. Credit: Joanna Steidle via Storyful