A One-of-a Kind Celebration of All Things Maritime
Northport Maritime Day & Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Northport Village Park and Dock. This event celebrates Northport’s maritime past, present and future. With the core events running from 10 am to 2 pm, the day will feature a wide variety of activities for all ages in the Village Park as well as a boat parade and vessels to be toured at the Village Dock with lively music throughout. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Northport Flotilla coordinates this event with the Village of Northport and the Northport Chamber of Commerce.
At the Village Dock, over 100 boats will parade past from the fleets of the Northport and Centerport Yacht Clubs as well as general recreational vessels – with many “dressed” with full nautical flags. Boat parade plans include a rescue response boat from US Coast Guard Station Eaton’s Neck, US Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol Boats, the US Merchant Marine Academy’s 60 foot tug (the Elizabeth Anne) with their 41 foot training vessel, the Northport Fire Department Rescue Boat, and other public safety and maritime vessels.
Local clergy will bless each boat for a safe and enjoyable boating season. Elected officials, US Coast Guard leadership and yacht club flag officers typically join in the review. After the Blessing, Coast Guard, training and working vessels are generally at the Village Dock for tours including fishing vessels from Northport’s own baymen.
In the Village Park, the day will include a full range of seaworthy events, demonstrations and “hands on” activities for all.
A “Nautical Olympics” will offer opportunities for all to practice and/or learn about the lifesaving skills of the Coast Guard including man-over-board life ring tosses, mayday calls, first aid, distress signals, emergency hauling line throws and other seamanship skills. Coast Guard Auxiliarists will also provide an overview of the many activities that Auxiliary volunteers can participate in including direct support of our own US Coast Guard Station Eaton’s Neck.
A special focus on the role of oysters in water quality initiatives in our community will include the Oyster Reef Project by the Huntington Rotary Club and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Oyster farmers from the Long Island Oyster Growers Association will tell of their craft and the positive impacts on our bays and harbors.
Nautical and wider music is planned to be supplied by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Band and local Northport musicians. Northport’s maritime history is generally on display by the Northport Historical Society. Plans are for the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program to provide information on a wide variety of water quality issues and opportunities including shellfish restoration, the SPAT oyster program, and the local F.I.S.H. initiative.
Maritime educational institutions invited include the US Merchant Marine Academy.
A variety of other “hands-on” activities for young and old will be provided from other participating organizations including walk-up displays of vessels in the Village Park including a revolutionary war replica whale boat used by Long Island patriots as they resisted occupation by the British..
Directly after the Blessing, judges will officiate at the Maritime Day Contests to select winners of the Best Maritime Brews and Beverages. Entries will feature the best from Northport area breweries.