Sitkans bless the fleetPosted by Melissa Marconi Wentzel | Mar 30, 2008 https://kcaw.org/modules/local_news/media/audio/30blessfleet.mp3 SITKA, ALASKA Close to 100 Sitkans gathered Sunday afternoon for the annual Blessing of the Fleet. The spring ritual honors those who earn their living upon the seas and pays tribute to mariners who have died over the past year.