A boat christening ceremony is a fun way to welcome your boat to the world, celebrate with friends, and ensure safe passages for a lifetime of adventures on the water.
Boat naming is serious business. While I was looking up how to do a name change and christening for our boat, I can across so much information. I found the history of naming boats and wanted to share some fun info.
The process of naming boats began thousands of years ago and was originally based on fear and superstition. As a safeguard from peril, most boats were originally named to honor a god seen as able to provide protection. By pleasing their gods with this honor, ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians thought the gods would then offer the protection being sought. Ancient people also feared angering their gods by not paying homage to them in this way. Similarly, Christians would name their boats after saints looking for their protection.
It is thought that wine was first used by ancient Greek and Romans to christen a boat before it was launched for the first time. This “offering” to the gods poured on the boat was just one part of an elaborate ceremony which included assigning the boat its name, parties, toasts, blessings, prayers and speeches. Champagne has replaced wine for most christenings today. It has become tradition for a woman to perform a ship's christening as its "sponsor" or godmother, officially declaring the name of the ship.
There is a long-standing tradition concerning the renaming of boats in order to avoid bad luck. The procedure is considered highly variable, but there are generally five parts: an invocation, an expression of gratitude, a supplication, a libation and a re-dedication.
The Titanic, was simply slid into the water without a formal naming ceremony and that was a disaster.
First, however, the boat must be de-named. This involves removing all references to the old name including items like the log book and papers, lifebuoys, transom, topsides, dinghy, oars, etc. Items which included the name can be reused if the name is sanded away or permanently removed in some fashion.
Modern christening ceremonies consist of saying a few words about the boat, toasting to the honor of the new boat's name and then breaking a bottle of champagne against the boat's bow or pouring the contents onto the bow. The entire process usually takes less than five minutes. If you plan to break the bottle, it's best to use a simulated bottle of champagne that is double-scored around the middle to make it easy and safe to break. The broken glass is contained in the included see-thru, fine-mesh sack. It's also best to break the bottle over a cleat or bow roller to avoid marring your boat's finish.
What to say
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 (say the previous name) 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.
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 port to starboard. Enjoy the rest with you friends.
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 (say the new name of your vessel), guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL March 31, 2019
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