May 26, 2026 — On Sunday, members of the community, seafood industry, and organizations, such as Virginia Marine Resources Commission and Smith Point Sea Rescue gathered in Reedville alongside Ocean Harvesters and Omega Protein for the 54th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, a long standing tradition honoring the men and women who work on the water.
Reverend William Stafford Whittaker opened the ceremony with a Call to Worship, reminding attendees that fishing remains “both a dangerous and a very important occupation.” He noted that many in the Northern Neck dedicate their lives to this work, providing “food, medicine, and other resources for the good of the wider world.”