Once again, its time to kick off the 2026 season with the annual Occoquan River Maritime Association’s Blessing of the Fleet event! This is a yearly event that ORMA has been doing forever, and its always a lot of fun. This is a very special tradition that dates back to the old days when fishermen would get their boats blessed before heading out to the fishing grounds for the season. The idea was that the blessing would improve your chances of a good catch, and maybe even prevent your ship from being attacked by a kraken or something!
ORMA brought this tradition to the Occoquan River, where it remains a very popular event. Boats of all sizes travel up the Occoquan River and turn around to join the parade route at Prince William Marina. From there, boats will slowly make their way downriver, and as they pass Belmont Bay Harbor Marina, they will receive their blessing. If there’s bad weather, the event will move to The Harbour Grille for a Blessing of the Captains
This is a real cool event because in addition to the boats that participate, there will be fire boats and other public safety boats spraying their water cannons and making noise! Although it isn’t a requirement, many folks decorate their boats for the occasion as well. There’s even a contest for the best decorated boats, and plaques will be given out for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
If you want to enter the contest, you should register in advance at ORMA’s registration site. This year the theme for decorations is “America’s 250th Birthday.” Of course, you don’t have to decorate, or you can choose some other theme if you just have to be special.
So here’s the skinny:
The event starts on May 16 at 9:00 AM. Boaters typically join the parade line up the Occoquan River to Prince William Marina, where you will turn around and head down river towards Belmont Bay Harbor Marina. There will be a spotter boat at the beginning of the fuel dock, and you should contact that spotter boat on marine VHF channel 72, letting them boat know your boat name. As you pass the Blessing Boat, your boat will be blessed by none other than Andre Connel, the president of WeFish2.
Head on over to the official event Facebook page for more info! If you miss this event, don’t blame us if you accidentally hit a log this year!
Here’s a lovely map to show you the route:
