Of Faith And Fishermen – Destin’s Blessing Of The Fleet

View from the distance across the blue=green water to Destin, Florida with many boats in the water — Destin Harbor offers the venue for an annual Blessing of the Fleet [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Think no connection exists between fishing and faith? The New Testament might indicate otherwise with at least four of Jesus’ disciples—Peter (also called Simon), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), and John (James’ brother)—working as fishermen. In modern times, the vacation destination of beautiful Destin, Florida offers a bridge between fishing and faith with its decades-old annual Blessing of the Fleet.

Fishermen In Jesus’ Day

In Bible times, fishing was a common occupation, especially around the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. In fact, Jesus spent most of the early years of His ministry in the area of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum and Bethsaida, for example, were seaside villages whose residents certainly engaged in such work.

Matthew 4:18-22 recounts Jesus calling His first disciples. Jesus saw Simon Peter and Andrew casting nets and called them to follow Him, promising to make them fishers of people. Later he encountered James and his brother John in a boat with their father preparing their nets and called them as well. The two left the boat, and their father, and followed Him.

Florida’s Seaside Village With A Fleet Of Fishermen

Map of Florida showing Destin as a red dot in the Panhandle — Destin, Florida, with numerous fishermen, is located in the Florida Panhandle [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

As in Jesus’ time, fishermen today still make a living from the sea. One amazing place where this work occurs is in stunning Destin, Florida. Located in Florida’s Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico, the city offers gorgeous emerald-green water and beaches with some of the whitest sand in the world. Opportunities for fishing also abound. Fish commonly caught include grouper, snapper, cobia, redfish, amberjack, triggerfish, and blackfin tuna.

Although now best known as a beach destination, Destin began as a quaint little fishing village back in 1845. Its founder, Leonard Destin, and all the other residents were fishermen. Fishing success in the town ultimately led to people calling it “the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” With over 125 charter fishing boats based there, the city now claims the largest fishing fleet in North America.

View from behind of charter boats headed out to see for fishing — Fishermen on charter boats head out to sea [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

Faith Leads To Blessing Of The Fleet

One of the oldest traditions in Destin began in 1958 and continues today. That event, The Blessing of the Fleet held on the Destin Harbor, focuses on fishermen and faith. The occasion allows the bestowing of blessings upon those individuals who make their living from the sea. Originally targeting fishing charters, The Blessing of the Fleet’s focus has been extended to include tourist excursion boats and commercial watercraft of all kinds as well. Open to the public, the event draws Destin boaters, church-affiliated or not, because they desire to start the season with their boat being blessed.

To emphasize the tie between faith and fishermen, the religious calendar dictates when this event occurs. It is held on Ascension Day, forty days after Easter. Accordingly, the Blessing of the Fleet always occurs on a Thursday unless stormy weather or high surf require moving the date. Although headed by Immanuel Anglican Church, clergy from other area churches participate and speak blessings too. They work together in unity, exemplifying Destin’s character of a faith-based community.

Blessing Of The Fleet Activities

The annual fleet blessing entails more than simple words of blessing prayed over vessels by clergy. A 4:00 p.m. worship service under a tent outside a harbor restaurant precedes the actual blessing. Testimony given by a local captain and a sermon make up elements of the service. The Blessing of the Fleet follows at 5:15 p.m. with a fish fry under the tent at the Blessing’s conclusion.

A boat parade allows participating boats, who fly a small blue Blessing of the Fleet flag from their mast as identification, to receive a blessing. The vessels line up in Destin Harbor and are called by name. Each in turn stops in front of a barge at the end of the dock where local clergy await. The pastors offer individual prayers for the captain and the crew and request safe passage and an abundant catch for those aboard it. They also pray for the boats to remain in good working order.

View of the Destin Marina with docks on front and blue water, white sand, and a bridge in the background — The Blessing of the Fleet takes place at Destin Harbor’s marina with white sandy beaches in view [Image from Wikimedia Commons]

2025 Faith Blessing Of The Fleet And Beyond

The 2025 Blessing of Fleet, the 68th such event, took place on Thursday, May 29th. Even though only a handful of boats participated in the initial Blessing of the Fleet, the numbers have grown over the years. In 2024, for example, over 158 vessels received a blessing. This year, more than 130 vessels participated, with the last one receiving its blessing at 7:41 p.m., about 1.5 hours after the blessings began. Because of the event’s success, organizers are already looking forward to the 69th Blessing of the Fleet set for Thursday, May 14, 2026.

Blessing The Faithful

Jesus no longer walks this earth and cannot personally bless fisherman. Thankfully, people of faith today, namely those in Destin, Florida, have stepped up to the plate on His behalf. They are coming alongside them to pray for those whose work on boats and to bless them. This love and concern extends to the whole community and draws even those with no religious affiliation to participate. Fishing for men appears to be occurring in this quaint little fishing village in the Florida Panhandle.