A relatively calm New Year’s morning on the Islamorada waters saw a large number of private and sportfishing boats taking to Whale Harbor Channel for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. Organized by the Islamorada Charter Boat Association, the tradition in the sportfishing capital saw local Pastor Tony Hammon and others standing from the bridge to provide a blessing to sportfishing boats.
Spectators aboard the fishing vessel That’s Right out of Bud N’ Mary’s marina participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Kathy Maxwell, mother-in-law of boat Captain John Oughton, photographs the Blessing of the Fleet aboard her son-in-law’s fishing vessel That’s Right on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team Leader and Upper Keys Marine Deputy Nelson Sanchez patrols the waters during the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Andrea Oughton pops open a bottle of prosecco aboard the fishing vessel That’s Right captained by her husband John Oughton during the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Andrea Oughton pops open a bottle of prosecco aboard the fishing vessel That’s Right captained by her husband John Oughton during the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. At left from left are Amanda Whalen, Leah Wampler and Allison Bynum. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Captain Timmy Arce with Native Conch Charters cruises Whale Harbor Channel during the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Event officials bless local boat captains and boaters from Whale Harbor Bridge during the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
A migrant boat lays on its side abandoned and grounded during the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
Local boat captains and boaters participate in the Blessing of the Fleet on New Year’s Day in Whale Harbor Channel oceanside, Sunday, January 1, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger 
A bevy of boats participate in the annual Blessing of the Fleet. DAVID GROSS/Contributed
