No Sailpast For Blessing Of Fleet
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday April 14, 2001
The traditional sailpast of fishing boats won't be part of tomorrow's popular Blessing of the Fleet in Ulladulla after changes to insurance coverage for the event.
Instead, local Catholic priest Father David O'Brien will be taken by Coastal Patrol boat to individually bless each craft in the busy South Coast port.
Blessing Of The Fleet Committee chairperson Elizabeth Abood said changing rules and regulations made staging the annual festival - now in its 45th year - a difficult task. But Ms Abood said she was confident all the hurdles had been overcome and the South Coast fishing and holiday town was set to play host to about 70,000 people over the Easter weekend.
``We used to have a sailpast with everyone on board," she said. ``Everything, unfortunately, changes. There are a lot of rules and safety regulations. That's why it can't happen now."
The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony would start at about noon and would be followed by a Taste of Italy picnic.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury
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