Town Holds Storm Emergency Seminar

The time-honored tradition of the “Blessing of the Fleet” comes to Oyster Bay Harbor today, Sunday, June 9, marking the 26th anniversary of this annual Oyster Bay Sail & Power Squadron event.

The Blessing of the Fleet has been passed down from generation to generation and dates back to Biblical times.

“The Blessing of the Fleet traditionally calls on Divine providence to safeguard ships and crews from the danger of the seas, said Plainview's Larry Weiss, Past Commander of Oyster Bay Sail & Power Squadron. "The ceremony seeks to ensure the safety of boats as they travel to and from the harbor, and to ensure that fishermen return safely and have a bountiful catch.”

But Weiss stressed that this year's event takes on added meaning as a new focus on water safety is in the forefront of Long Islander's mind.

 “Most importantly, this is the time for boaters of every kind to come together to celebrate what we all enjoy so much - safe and courteous boating on the waters of Oyster Bay and Long Island Sound.”

The Oyster Bay Power Squadron sponsors and organizes the Marine Parade and Blessing as a community wide event.  Every boat owner in the harbor (and neighboring harbors) are invited to take part and onlookers are encouraged to come out and enjoy the parade.  Any type of boat may participate.

Members of the clergy from the Oyster Bay/Bayville community will be officiating, each taking turns offering blessings and prayers for each passing boat. This year's event will take place off the pier at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park marina. Boats will assemble between 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. in Oyster Bay’s West Harbor just off Brickyard Point.

At 12:30 the Oyster Bay Constable will lead off the parade. Boats will fall in line and head south along the west channel toward Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park Marina, turning east at the Roosevelt Marina eastern fishing pier. Members of the clergy will be positioned on the pier, taking turns blessing or saying a short prayer for each vessel as it parades by.

A safety check is available to boaters afterward. The public is invited to watch and participate. Skippers should monitor VHF Channel 9 for instructions.

Town Holds Storm Emergency Seminar

Oyster Bay hosted its annual Hurricane-Emergency Management Seminar at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage last week. The program was conducted by leaders in the fields of meteorology and emergency management and was headed by Leonard B. Symons, Deputy Commissioner of the Town’s Department of Public Safety.

Symons is a weather expert in his own right who has trained at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. Residents who attended were informed on how best to prepare and respond to a hurricane, blizzard, nor’easter and other emergency events.

Town's Planning Board to Meet June 20. 

Oyster Bay's Planning Advisory Board has scheduled a meeting for Thursday, June 20 in the Town Board hearing Room, Town Hall East, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Planning Advisory Board reviews applications for projects in certain designated areas as well as site plans for major projects in other commercial and residential areas.