Before the shining blue backdrop of Kane'ohe Bay, a group of sailors and their vessels yesterday received a blessing for smooth sailing on future rescue missions.

As one of the main search-and-rescue teams patrolling the waters of Windward O'ahu, the 21 members of the Waterfront Operations Detachment at Kane'ohe Marine Corps Base have a large responsibility.

Beyond coordinating with the Coast Guard and Honolulu Fire Department on missions, the unit also responds to environmental crises, provides security assistance and patrols the seven-mile buffer zone around the Marine base.

"Waterfront Operations is a unique organization to Kane'ohe Bay, and we're glad to have them," said guest speaker Brig. Gen. Steven A. Hummer.

In the past year, the unit has performed 22 life-saving operations and has saved 60 lives, Hummer said. He estimated that by responding to vessels in distress, the unit has been able to save boaters half a million dollars that would have been spent on repairs and damages.

Waterfront Operations also was ranked No. 1 in oil-spill containment in the Navy.

During yesterday's ceremony, Capt. Stephen Linehan, chaplain for Kane'ohe Marine Corps Base, gave a blessing before sprinkling water on the vessels. Kaonohi Aipa followed with a traditional Hawaiian blessing.

This is the second year the Navy has held a symbolic "Blessing of the Fleet" for the unit's eight vessels and to wish its sailors good luck.

With this ceremony, the unit hopes to "rekindle Navy tradition," said Lt. j.g. Marc Tinaz, officer in charge of the unit.

"The Blessing of the Fleet is a symbolic event to bless our sailors and Marines to have a safe transit to and from their destinations to return to their families," Tinaz said.

The event traces its origins to the 14th century, when the king of Spain, Alfonso XI, asked Pope Clement V to travel from Avignon, France, to Barcelona, Spain, to say a prayer for his vessels and crew before they embarked on a religious mission.

Later popes continued the tradition — Clement VI, Benedict XII and Innocent VI were all asked to bless sailors and their vessels.

Across the Mediterranean, mariners soon received word of the ceremony and made pilgrimages to Barcelona requesting the pope to bless their ships and crew.

The blessing became popular among fishermen and is still performed today in fishing communities in Alaska and the Oregon Coast.