Tradition and teamwork are separated by thousands of words in the dictionary but forever linked by the commercial fishing industry and its community. For more than four decades, they come together once a year to honor the solemn custom of the Blessing of the Fleet in Barnegat Light.

FAIR WINDS, FOLLOWING SEAS: Warren Karter Garofalo, 18 months, waves to the Miss Barnegat Light during the Blessing of the Fleet. (Courtesy Karen Larson)

This Sunday’s installment saw the U.S. Coast Guard get underway with members of the Long Beach Island religious community for the annual event.