Blessing of the fleet

Posted: Updated:

By Christy Hutchings - bio | email

DARIEN, GA (WTOC) - Times are tough and many are hoping the economy will turn around soon, especially fishermen.

Darien fishermen were still picking up pieces from last year's season when gas prices were $4 a gallon, which made it very hard to make a profit. They were doing everything they could, including getting their vessels blessed.

The Blessing of the Fleet has been going on in Darien for more than 40 years. Sunday they sailed their ships to the bridge, a prayer was said then Holy water dropped down on the vessels.

Shrimpers said the Blessing of the Fleet is something they can't afford to miss.

"My boss man said he wanted the boat blessed, he said we need all the help we can get and I believe it too," said Neil Trutt.

"I want to get the boat blessed every year, whether it does us good or bad. I want to get it done," said George Trutt Jr.

George and Neil Trutt are brothers and professional shrimpers. They're also both captains; George the Captain of Smokin Joe and Neil the Captain of Amazing Grace. Both men said last year was probably one of the hardest in terms of making a profit.

"We caught good shrimp, it was just the price of fuel kept us from getting ahead," said George.

"The imported shrimp, that's a big thing. The price of our shrimp has dropped way down compared to the past," said Neil.

Neil said it was obvious the economy was taking it's toll on fishermen. He said some of the boats he normally saw on the water for blessing were not there. Not because they didn't believe, but because they were out of business.

"If you can't make it, you can't. You see a lot of these boats are running down and you can't afford it no more," said George.

George and Neil didn't want to go out of business so they took the risky sail to the bridge. Neil said it could be scary, but worth it to know that they were starting the season off right.