An Old Tradition - The Blessing of the Fleet

The blessing of the fleet is an annual, often religious, ceremony that takes place, in many forms, in fishing villages and ports all around the world, to bring good luck to the local fishing fleet before the opening of the coming season. The blessing is an opportunity to pray for good catches and the safe return of the fleet at the end of the season. In WA some local fishers even invite their priest to bless their newly made rock lobster pots in a private ceremony for family and friends at their homes.

Fremantle’s first Blessing of the Fleet took place in 1948. It is traditionally held in October-November, just before the opening of the rock lobster season, after the boats have been overhauled and repainted during the winter months. Fremantle’s Blessing of the Fleet is conducted under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church with a parade that leaves St Patrick’s Basilica, makes its way down High Street, and finishes at the Fishing Boat Harbour. It is organised by local ethnic communities, principally the Italian Molfettese and Sicilian communities, but also involves the Croatian and Portuguese communities. At the head of the procession are the statues of the Madonna of Martyrs, carried by men, and the Madonna of Capo D’Orlando, carried by women. The costumes displayed in the Maritime Museum were worn by children during those ceremonies.