Stonington Harbor Yacht Club invites you to participate in the annual boat parade and blessing on Saturday 10 June 2023 at 1pm. 

Second only to the Commissioning Ceremony of our yacht club the SHYC Parade of the Fleet is a visible sign that bolsters the SHYC mission of promoting excellence in boating activities among our membership and in the community.  Designed to honor seafaring traditions passed on for generations, celebrate our members’ passion for boating and our optimism for the future, the Parade of the Fleet remains a strong connection to naval and yachting tradition, our club history and our club visibility in the local area. It is our chance to practice those customs and courtesies in how we behave, dress, and conduct our ceremonies as a model organization in the maritime community.

All members’ vessels are invited to join the Flag Officers on the water for a short journey out of Stonington Harbor around Gong #3 and back into the harbor.  Symbolically, our leaving and returning together as one Fleet, no matter what size of watercraft we operate, represents one of our core values: inclusiveness.  All boats are invited to dress ship (optional) as an element of this parade.

The Reverend Gillian Barr will be onboard and will conduct a brief memorial (reading of the names and laying of a bouquet of flowers) for all those SHYC members who have passed forward during 2022-2023 followed by a Blessing of the Fleet for participating members’ boats.

The Fleet Captain will provide line up order and communication details by Thursday 8 June to those that sign up.