By Oregon Coast TODAY
A community ceremony honoring local fishermen and their families, the Blessing of the Fleet has been a Newport tradition since the 1950s.
On Sunday, May 4, the Newport Fishermen’s Wives will again be sponsoring the full-day event, which includes the popular survival suit races and the Highliners Competition.
The Blessing of the Fleet began as an old-world Sicilian custom emphasizing faith and perseverance — qualities that have long fueled those who go to sea to earn their living. Newport’s Blessing of the Fleet continues the custom of asking for prayers for protection at sea, bountiful catches and peace of mind for the families at home.
The blessings are open to any and all who wish to ask blessings on their fishing vessel, charter vessel, pleasure craft or research vessel.
At the survival suit races, teams compete in a difficult race between Port Dock 1 and Port Dock 5. Survival suits are crucial to the survival of fishermen when immersed in the cold waters off the Oregon coast. There are great viewing locations up and down the Bayfront boardwalk.
A boat procession and the Blessing of the Fleet will take place in the harbor and can be viewed from most locations on the Bayfront. The boat parade gets underway from the area near the Port’s international terminal. The U.S. Coast Guard’s search and rescue helicopter, if available, and the motor lifeboats of Station Yaquina Bay signal the start of the parade. All vessels will follow the lead vessel from the international terminal heading west, turning just in front of the bridge before heading east to pass in front of the coast guard motor lifeboat, where local ministers will bless each vessel.
At 1 p.m., the Fishermen’s Wives will host the annual barbecue at Port of Newport International terminal, serving food and giving out the 2025 Blessing of the Fleet sponsor T-shirts. The lunch and shirt are free and are available to everyone in the community on a first come, first served basis. This is also a great time to ask the organization questions, especially if you are considering volunteering.
At the same time and place will be the Highliner Competition that centers around skills needed to be a fisherman.
The day wraps up with the memorial service at the Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina Bay State Park. The service is meant to offer support and encouragement to the families and community while remembering Lincoln County fishermen lost at sea.
For more information, go to www.newportfishermenswives.com.
Event Schedule
9 a.m.: Survival suit races, Port Dock 3
11 a.m.: Boat parade, Yaquina Bay
1 p.m.: Community BBQ, International terminal
1 p.m.: Highliner competition, International terminal
4 p.m.: Memorial, Fishermen’s Memorial Sanctuary at Yaquina Bay State Park
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