Northport to Celebrate Its Maritime Heritage

Saturday will be a day of celebration of Northport’s maritime heritage, beginning with a blessing of the fleet at Village Park and dock.

The celebration will feature a wide variety of activities, including the opening of the Northport farmers’ market, a Downhill Mile Run, both at 8 a.m. That will be followed by:

  •    Opening of Village Park for Activities, Booths and Exhibits  from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
  •    Blessing of the fleet at 11 a.m.
  •    A tour of vessels at the dock, including fishing vessels, tug boat, rescue and response crafts, until 2 p.m.

More than 100 boats, many fully decked out with full natuical flags and other symbols, are expected to parade past the dock

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary Northport Flotilla coordinates this event with the Village of Northport and the Northport Chamber of Commerce.

 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 will join in the review.  After the Blessing, Coast Guard, training and working vessels will be at the Village Dock for tours including fishing vessels from Northport’s own baymen.

The village park will host demonstrations of  maritime-related skills and activities, a “nautical rodeo” for all to practice and/or learn about the lifesaving skills of active duty and Auxiliary Coast Guard including man-over-board drills, search and rescue patterns, mayday calls, emergency hauling line throws and other seamanship skills. Coast Guard auxiliarists will also provide an overview of the many activities that volunteers can participate in including direct support of US Coast Guard Station Eaton’s Neck.

Local musicians will provide nautical and other music while  the Northport Sea Scouts will host a “Rain-Gutter Regatta” for children. Northport’s maritime history will be on display by the Northport Historical Society.  The Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program will provide a Marine Life Touch Tank, and information on a wide variety of water quality issues and opportunities including shellfish restoration, the SPAT oyster program, Huntington Blueway, the Unified Water Study,  stormwater runoff, and the local F.I.S.H. initiative.

Maritime educational institutions represented will include the US Coast Guard Academy and the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Directly after the blessing, judges will officiate at the Maritime Day Contests to select winners of the Best Seafood Chowder, Best Bisque and Best Brews and Beverages.  Entries will feature the best from Northport’s restaurants, breweries and distillery.

For the latest information and schedule for Northport Maritime Day visit www.MaritimeDay.Net

 

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