Sailors and their vessels were granted the Lord’s protection during a Blessing of the Boats service in St David’s yesterday.

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, was at the Chapel of Ease dock to perform the service as boats of all shapes and sizes lined up along the water’s edge.

The event dates back to the consecration of the Chapel of Ease in 1849.

At that time, there were no bridges or land links between St David’s and the rest of the island. In order to carry out the consecration ceremony, then the Archdeacon of Bermuda, Edward Feild, was rowed across the harbour by four sons of clergymen.

As the archdeacon was carried across the water, he gave his blessing to vessels that he passed, establishing an annual tradition that is now almost 175 years old.

Bishop Dill began the service with a prayer “to all those who are in the midst of the many dangers of the deep”.

He said: “Protect them from all perils, prosper them in their course, and bring them safely to the conclusion of their journeys.”

The Reverend Canon John Stow, the Priest of the Parish of St George's, read from Luke 8:22-25, where Jesus and his disciples were travelling across the Sea of Galilee when a storm broke. After being wakened by his disciples, Jesus “rebuked” the strong wind and crashing waves, commanding that they fall silent.

Addressing a small congregation that had gathered at the dock, Bishop Dill likened that parable to the journey that we all take through life.

He said: “The sea is a perilous places full of chaos and sometimes life can feel a bit like that. It can be overwhelming and sometimes it even seems as if God is absent.

“But we can have trust that the Lord is in control and we only have to call out to him and he sees us.

“He may not remove the storms, but he helps us sail through them.”

Following prayers and the offertory hymn Will Your Anchor Hold, Bishop Dill blessed each vessel, anointing them with Holy Water and the words: “Bless oh Lord this vessel and all who sail in her. May she be a trustworthy and safe servant. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Among the vessels lining up were the pilot boat St David. Sea cadets from TS Admiral Somers were present. The service concluded with a gathering at the Chapel of Ease.