s/v hello world: This is “ “, this is “ “, this is “ “, over.

The ceremony was small, inter-denominational and of course followed by copious amounts of champagne and other drinks. No, we didn’t get married – we de-named the boat!

We’ve spent the last week getting the boat ready for the water, but also getting the name off of EVERYTHING. We got the last slops of paint on the boat while our boat friends (in their nicest attire) stood by and watched. As with all of our boat projects, painting ran longer than expected, but compared to some of our other projects, it really wasn’t too bad.

We broke out 2 bottles of champagne for the de-naming ceremony. I read the non-denominational prayer to Neptune, god of the sea while Jason shook up one of the bottles and proceeded to spray it everywhere, including on the both of us (yes, on purpose – he’s so romantic). We passed the 2nd bottle of champagne around the group in a small circle on the dock – no glasses required – this is a high class group. I thought we were going to drink the entire 2nd bottle, since tradition calls for only one bottle to go to Neptune. I was wrong. After the bottle made one round, Jason poured the rest into the water – again to appease Neptune. If I had known that were going to happen, I would have taken a bigger sip on the first go round. That Neptune better be happy.

So, the boat is now un-named. We’ll do the renaming ceremony next week when the new letters come in – and will do a bigger party (as official Sailors, we need to uphold the stereotype of drinking). But next time, I’ll know to take a bigger sip of champagne!

Here’s the denaming prayer that I read – my favorite is the last line (John Vigors Interdenominational Boat Denaming Ceremony):
In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past and in the name of all who will sail aboard her in the future, We invoke the ancient gods of the wind and sea to favor us with their blessing.

Mighty Neptune, King of all that moves in or on the waves; Mighty Aeolus, guardian of the winds and all that blow before them; We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past . We voice gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.

Now we submit this supplication that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known [old name here] be struck and removed from your records. Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognized and accorded once again the self same privileges which she previously enjoyed.

In return, we rededicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject as always to the immutable laws of the gods of the sea and the wind.

In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with libations offered according to the hallowed ritual of the sea.