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Everyone knows that
renaming your boat will bring nothing but bad luck
and make your boating experience something that
you will want to forget. But what happens when,
after months of searching, you find your dreamboat
with a name that you just cannot live with. Since
the beginning of time, sailors have sworn that there
are unlucky ships and the unluckiest ships of all,
are those who have defied the gods and changed their
names. So, is there a way to change a name and not
incur the wrath of those deities that rule the elements?
Yes, there is and this is how: |
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Before taking your new boat out
for her maiden voyage, you must have a "christening
ceremony." A proper christening and the accompanying
ceremony ensures good fortune to the boat and her
crew throughout the life of the vessel. If, after
being properly christened, a vessel does
have a run of bad luck, it will be because her christening
ceremony was poorly performed, rather than due to
her Captain's incompetence or to sea monsters..
So for you new boat owners, don't tempt fate.
Perform the ceremony below before taking your vessel
out for her maiden voyage. |
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First of all, make certain that
you invite everyone to the christening who is important
to the boat. Since this is an auspicious occasion,
it is a good time to invite your friends to witness
and to party. Distribute champagne to all attendees.
Then, recite the following: |
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"For thousands of years, we have
gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us
and we have called them by name. These ships will
nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and
so we affectionately call them "she." To them we
toast, and ask to celebrate (the name of your boat)."
Then everybody raises their chanmpagne glasses and
shouts "TO THE SAILORS OF OLD�TO_________ (the name
of your boat)."
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Everybody
takes a sip. |
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Then follow with: "The moods
of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We
ask that this ship be given the strength to carry
on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures
of the sea." Again the glasses are raised, and the
assemblage shouts, "TO THE SEA...TO THE SAILORS
OF OLD...TO THE SEA!"
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Everybody takes another sip. |
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Continue:"Today we come to name
this lady_____________ (name of your boat), and
send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for
the __________ (name of your family) family. We
ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that
is the sea to accept ________________ (your boat's
name) as her name, to help her through her passages,
and allow her to return with her crew safely. "
Again, with the raising of the glasses, "TO THE
SEA...TO THE SAILORS BEFORE US...TO_________(the
name of your boat)."
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A last, long sip by all. |
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Now pour champagne over the bow
to appease King Neptune, and lay a branch of green
leaves on the deck to ensure safe returns. (Breaking
the bottle across her prow is optional for a recreational
vessel, and should be done only if all safety precautions
have been taken, and after the bottle has been properly
scored for a clean break.) |
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Of course, any champagne remaining
will be the beginnings of a suitable celebration
in honor of the occasion. |
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Once the ceremony has been completed,
you may bring aboard any and all items bearing the
new name of your vessel. If you must aplly the new
name before the ceremony, be sure the name is not
revealed before the ceremony is finished. It may
be covered with bunting or some other suitable material.
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*The above
ceremony written by Commander Bob.
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http://www.commanderbob.com
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