Blessing of the Nelson Fishing Fleet

Saturday July 17 from 12.30pm
Media Release July 15

 
The tenth annual Blessing of Nelson’s Fishing Fleet is scheduled for this Saturday (July 17), promising to link the people of Nelson with fishing industry and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives at sea.

Seafarers Memorial Trust spokesman Mike Smith says there will again be fireworks on Friday night (July 16), with viewing from the waterfront and the port hills. Flares will be set off from 6.30pm, followed by fireworks at 6.45pm.
 
On Saturday at 1pm Bishop Richard Ellena, Reverend Jeff Cotton and Father David Gruscol. will take the blessing service, with fishing boats lined up in front of the Seafarers’ Memorial on Wakefield Quay.
 
Music will be provided by the Nelson Male Voice Choir, Nelson Christian Academy Choir, lone piper Perry Smith and the Nelson City Brass Band and there will be a release of pigeons at the end of the service.
 
“This annual event is now in its tenth year and is held by the Seafarers Memorial Trust to commemorate those who have lost their lives at sea and to bless the fishing fleet at the start of the hoki season,” Mr Smith said. “We always get a good response from the public – it is a link that demonstrates the contribution of the fishing and seafood industry to this community.”
 
With the help of the Rotary Club of Nelson, the trust will be offering scallop and fish picnic lunches and there will be an auction of the Catch of the Day.

Other highlights include a man overboard drill involving the Summit Rescue Helicopter; and there will be loud and colourful day-time mescalita fireworks.
 
Although the Blessing of the Fleet is a free community event, the public will be asked to make a small donation to the Seafarers’ Memorial Trust to be used in community projects.
 
If Saturday is wet the Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Sunday 18 July Postponement will be broadcast on Radio Nelson stations (ie Newstalk, Classic Hits etc.)
 
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