Boat Naming & Renaming Ceremonies
It's well known
that renaming your boat will bring bad luck and make your boating experience something
that you will want to forget. But what happens when, you find your dreamboat with
a name that you just cannot live with. Renaming a boat is, of course, not something
to be done lightly. 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. According to legend, every vessel is recorded by
name in the Ledger of the Deep and is known personally to Poseidon, or Neptune,
the god of the sea. Therefore if we wish to change the name of our boat, the first
thing we must do is to purge its name from the Ledger of the Deep and from Poseidon's
memory.
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If you would like a hand naming or renaming your
boat why not enlist the services of a professional civil celebrant
who specialises in Boat Naming and Blessing ceremonies
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Boat Name Purging Ceremony
This is an
involved process beginning with the complete removal of every trace of the boat's
current identity. This is essential and must be done thoroughly.
You may use
White-Out to cover the boat's name in log books, engine and maintenance records
ships library books etc., but it is much easier to simply remove the offending
document from the boat and start afresh. Don't forget the life rings. Do not under
any circumstances carry aboard any item bearing your boat's new name until the
renaming ceremony has been completed! Once you are certain every reference to
her old name has been removed, you have to make a metal tag with the old name
written on it in water-soluble ink.
Buy a bottle
of good Champagne & invite your friends to witness and party.
Begin by invoking
the name of the ruler of the deep as follows:
Oh mighty and
great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon
your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness
to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name (here insert
the old name of your vessel) which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom.
As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through
your powers and forever be purged from the sea. (At this point, the prepared metal
tag is dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea.)
In grateful
acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations
to your majesty and your court. (Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne
into the sea from East to West. The remainder may be passed among your guests.)
You must conduct
the renaming ceremony immediately after the purging ceremony. For this you will
need more Champagne.
Begin the your boat renaming by again calling Poseidon as follows:
Oh mighty and
great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon
your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness
to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for
all time known as (Here insert the new name you have chosen), guarding her with
your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout
her journeys within your realm.
In appreciation
of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these
libations to your majesty and your court. (At this point, one bottle of Champagne,
less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea
from West to East.)
The next step
in the renaming ceremony is to appease the gods of the winds. This will assure
you of fair winds and smooth seas. Because the four winds are brothers, it is
permissible to invoke them all at the same time, however, during the ceremony;
you must address each by name.
Appeasing the Gods of the winds: This version is for the Southern Hemisphere. For the Northern Hemisphere swap around the atributes of the wind Gods, eg: Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind would have frigid breath instaed of scalding.
Oh mighty rulers
of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless
deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel (Insert your boat's new name)
the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration
according to our needs.
(Facing north,
pour a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the
North as you intone:) Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us
permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever
sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.
(Facing west,
pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning:) Great
Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty
powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors, ever sparing us the overwhelming
scourge of your wild breath.
(Facing east,
repeat and fling to the East.) Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind, grant
us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors,
ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.
(Facing south,
repeat, flinging to the South.) Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind,
grant us permission to use your mighty powers in the pursuit of our lawful endeavors,
ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.
Of course,
any champagne remaining will be the beginnings of a suitable celebration in honor
of the occasion.
Once the ceremony
has been completed, you may bring aboard any and all items bearing the new name
of your vessel. If you must schedule the painting of the new name on the transom
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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