7th Annual Blessing of the FDNY Marine Fleet

The FDNY celebrated its Marine Unit on Flag Day, June 14, during the annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at the South Street Seaport.

“Today is a happy day for the FDNY,” said Deputy Assistant Chief Ronald Spadafora. “The Marine Fleet is a tremendously important and proud division of the FDNY.”

FDNY Chaplains Monsignor John Delendick and Reverend Stephen Harding blessed seven fireboats (and one Coast Guard vessel), saying, “May you always have calm seas and fair winds.”

The FDNY’s Marine Division protects New York City’s 560 miles of waterfront.

It was formed on May 10, 1875, following the purchase of the Department’s first fireboat, the William F. Havermeyer.

Since then, fireboats have assisted in operations at incidents including the fire on the SS Normandie in 1942 and the 1973 collision of the Sea Witch and the oil tanker Esso Brussels under the Verrazano Bridge. Fire boats pumped water to operations at the World Trade Center and helped evacuate survivors in 2001.

By the end of 2009, the FDNY anticipates the delivery of two new fireboats that will support the ever increasing volume of commuter, recreational and commercial traffic that passes through the local waterways.