Port Salerno, FL - May 30, 2016
Along with moving all our belongings aboard, it was time to change the boat’s name from “Seeker” to “Bazinga” (see our first post). Now, for you who are not boaters or boat owners, renaming a boat is a very superstitious affair. It’s supposed be bad luck to change a boat’s name. King Neptune is not a fan. Sailors will tell you story upon story of the horrible events that befall those boats whose names were changed. Soooo, if you insist on doing so, you better do it right!
Along with moving all our belongings aboard, it was time to change the boat’s name from “Seeker” to “Bazinga” (see our first post). Now, for you who are not boaters or boat owners, renaming a boat is a very superstitious affair. It’s supposed be bad luck to change a boat’s name. King Neptune is not a fan. Sailors will tell you story upon story of the horrible events that befall those boats whose names were changed. Soooo, if you insist on doing so, you better do it right!
From
BoatSafe.com by Capt Pat: "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. So, is there a way to change
a name and not incur the wrath of those deities that rule the elements? Yes,
Virginia, there is.
According to legend, each and 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. It
is logical 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.
This is an
involved process beginning with the removal or obliteration of every trace of
the boat’s current identity. This is essential and must be done thoroughly.”
With all these dire warnings and stories floating in our
heads, we decided to do the scary deed on a very hot afternoon in the Hinckley
Marina on Memorial Day weekend, right after the new name was applied to the
stern – before anyone could see it (which, again, would bring bad luck).
Based on a recommendation from our boat broker,
we chose Karen Siler of Crackerjack Signs and Boat Lettering. Karen had come to the boatyard when our boat
was out of the water and removed the name ‘Seeker’. Today she was coming back to apply Bazinga,
while we prepared for the ceremony later in the day.
Poor Karen had to work in 98 degrees, even at
10am, so Jim rigged up a tarp shade to give her some protection.
While Karen was sweating on the stern, Georgia was scouring
the boat for any other places that “Seeker” might be written – life rings, key
chains, maintenance and repair invoices.
All those items had to be removed before the renaming could be
done. The name “Seeker” had to be
expunged from existence!
“I once went
through the ceremony after the owner had assured me that every reference to his
boat’s old name had been purged from her. A couple of weeks later, he
discovered he had missed a faded name on her floating key chain. I advised him
to start over, perhaps with a little extra libation for the ruler of the sea.
Unfortunately, he declined.
Since then,
his boat has been struck by lightning, had its engine ruined by the ingress of
the sea, been damaged by collision and finally sunk! It pays to be thorough.
In purging
your boat, it is acceptable to use White-Out or some similar obliterating fluid
to expunge the boat’s name from log books, engine and maintenance records etc.,
but it is much easier to simply remove the offending document from the boat and
start afresh. Don’t forget the life rings and especially the transom and
forward name boards.
Do not under any circumstances carry aboard any item
bearing your boat’s new name until the purging and renaming ceremonies have
been completed!
Once you are certain every
reference to her old name has been removed from her, all that is left to do is
to prepare a metal tag with the old name written on it in water-soluble ink.” BoatSafe.com
Georgia made copies of all maintenance records –
to keep the originals somewhere safe and the copies on the boat – with the name
‘Seeker’ whited-out! We also needed a weight with the name 'Seeker' written on it to drop into the deep. This ceremony
would require many bottles of good champagne - no cheap sparkling stuff –
to appease King Neptune, as well as calm the souls of Jim and Georgia!
“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.” Capt Pat of BoatSafe.com
(Unfortunately, it was almost 100 degrees and we were in the boatyard marina on a holiday weekend. Therefore, we didn't have any guests; even Karen couldn't stay. So we had to take care of the champagne ourselves.)
"It is usual
for the renaming ceremony to be conducted immediately following the purging
ceremony, although it may be done at any time after the purging ceremony. For
this portion of the proceedings, you will need more Champagne, Much more
because you have a few more gods to appease. Begin the 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. Begin in
this manner:
'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 frigid 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 scalding 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.” BoatSafe.com by Capt. Pat
Whew! And we did it all! Alas, Georgia gave too much of the bubbly to
Poseidon and all of the rulers of the four winds and Jim complained there
wasn’t enough left for him!
As the sun was setting over Manatee Pocket, we felt truly
blessed. We were following our dream –
it was coming together. We took a moment
to bless our “Bazinga” with holy water we had brought back from Our Lady of
Lourdes Shrine in France in 2003. And,
together we stood on the bow of our boat and said this lovely prayer aloud:
Harken, O Lord, to our supplications and bless by Thy holy right hand this boat and all who travel in it, as Thou hast vouchsafed to bless Noah's ark carried upon the waves of the flood: Stretch forth to them, O Lord, Thy right hand, as Thou hast done to Blessed Peter when walking upon the sea, and send Thy holy Angel from heaven, who may deliver and protect this boat from all dangers, with all who will be therein: and repelling all adversities, grant Thy servants a calm voyage and the always wished-for-haven, let them carry out and rightly finish their journeys, and when the time comes again, call them back to their home with all joy. AMEN!
