PORT TOWNSEND — On a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon on Port Townsend Bay, 43 vessels and a paddle boarder celebrated opening day of the 2018 boating season.
Sponsored by the Port Townsend Yacht Club, the event, which was first held in 1947, included a traditional blessing of the fleet by Pastor Tony Brown of Trinity United Methodist Church, and remarks by Mayor Deborah Stinson and Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Sam Gibboney.
Pocket yachts, skiffs, sailboats, a tug, a trawler, wooden boats, sloops and cruisers took their turns gliding by the official reviewing stand established at the Northwest Maritime Center dock.
Port Townsend Yacht Club (PTYC) member Marilynne Gates served as emcee, assisted by Chaelene Quandt and Katherine Buchanan. The event was under the direction of club member Bill Baratuci.
The parade included the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Swordfish and its crew of 12 stationed in Port Angeles, and the Guardian, a 33-foot working boat owned by East Jefferson Fire Rescue, which shot its water cannons to the delight of the crowd. The club’s safety boat, from Salish Sea Rescue, also took part in the event.
Stinson said opening day was a wonderful celebration of “our avid boating community.”
“I see this as the front page, the real show of the maritime culture we continue to enjoy here in Port Townsend. Without you, our boaters, and those who keep your boats here and bring your boats in, we wouldn’t have the thriving maritime service and jobs industry we have,” she said.
”Today is all about getting out on the water and staying afloat.”
The port’s executive director encouraged all to use the waterfront for their enjoyment.
”It is the mission of the Port of Port Townsend to provide access to the water,” Gibboney said. “Many of you likely use port facilities to get on the water today. We are happy to provide that public service and wish you a safe and wonderful boating season. Enjoy the Salish Sea.”
According to PTYC Commodore Jess Schefstrom, the blessing of the fleet is an important event.
“The blessing of the fleet imparts a concept of being something that is much bigger than one’s self and that is something that, if you have ever boated beyond the sight of land, know is a transforming truth,” Schedstrom said.
Pastor Brown, in this, his sixth year, provided the blessing of the fleet to all the boats and those mariners on board.
“Creator, hear the prayers we bring before you today as we ask for your blessing for the members of our community who earn a living from the sea,” his prayer began.
“We thank you for the beauty of the earth and the mighty waters that surround the land,” he continued. “May we be responsible for the just and proper use of your creation. We ask your blessing upon those who go down in the sea in ships.”
The parade of boats was interrupted so the state ferry could sail off to Coupeville.
Opening day was celebrated by the Sequim Bay Yacht Club with an open house, flag ceremony and boat parade at the John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
Sailboats take part in Saturday’s opening day parade of boating season on Port Townsend Bay during which 43 vessels participated and received a fleet blessing. (Jeannie McMacken/ Peninsula Daily News)
