Gallery: Swampscott Fleet Gets Blessed At Harbor Celebration

Some captains wheeled boats to starboard and others to port but either way they got a blessing from Rev. Mark Templeman.

The priest from Swampscott's stood in his Sunday vestments on a bobbing float at the end of the fish pier Saturday.

The sun shined brightly. Yellow-beaked gulls flew nearby.

On the pier, fishermen dropped lines for flounder and kids jumped from the railing into the cold-water harbor.

This was the sixth year the priest asked God to protect and bless all those who sail, power, paddle or otherwise use the harbor.

At 2 pm, he held a holy water bucket in one hand and an aspergal for sprinkling in the other and awaited the arrival of boats.

He wore a white flowing robe, an alb, and a colorful stole, surrounded by onlookers in shorts and bathing suits.

He was dressed as he dresses for Sunday services at the Episcopal church, except for the ballcap and sunglasses he wore.

One by one boaters filed by the float and the priest waved and sprinkled holy water and said a blessing.

He even boarded a craft to deliver blessings at the outer harbor.

A few people on the float asked for individual blessings and he obliged, making the sign of the cross on their foreheads and giving a blessing.

Mary Pimental of Swampscott received an individual blessing and pointed to the red ball where she and her husband moor their boat.

Ashore next to the parking lot, the Swampscott Yacht Club served Bonnie Brown's fine macaroni and cheese — made with seven cheeses — and chili, and salads and grilled hot dogs.

Nolan Sims worked the grill and used a long surf board propped on racks for a table.

Servers and supporting cast included Harvey Newcomb, Tim Keeter, Tom O'Shea, Mary Webster and Linda Whitten.

Linda traveled from Clearwater, Fla, expressly for the festival.

Earlier in the day, the hosted its annual duct-tape regatta, and, later, the 10 bands in 10th annual teen concert were to play.