Want to change the name of your boat?  Heard all about the bad luck in renaming a boat?  Its a big decision, but done properly with due reverence there is no reason to put it off.

How much truth is there in the superstitions?  Some say that when a boat is named  it has been enlivened, and from that point on must be treated with the same respect that we would a person.  An early reference to the folly of improperly changing a name was made by Robert Louis Stephenson in Treasure Island:

"He was hanged like a dog, and sun-dried like the rest, at Corso Castle.  That was Robert's men, that was, and comed of changing names to their ships - Royal Fortune, and so on.  Now what a ship was christened, so let her stay, I say."

We have all heard about the Mary Celeste, but did you know that she was once called the Amazon.  Her first captain died 2 days after the naming, damaged on the maiden voyage she survived fire and collisions, then her fourth captain ran her aground on Cape Breton Island where she was salvaged, repaired and renamed Mary Celeste, the rest, as they say is history.  Personally I think she was jinxed from the start, perhaps someone took bananas on board in the builders yard.  Who knows why the Gods were against the Mary Celeste.

You don't believe in those old superstitions?  Well I do, and I'm not alone, its not so much being superstitious as being v--e-r-y careful. It's and essential part of good seamanship.

There are those who would consult astrology, numerology, tarot etc to decide on the where when and how of changing names.  But a simple denaming ceremony should do the trick.  There are five necessary elements, an invocation, an expression of gratitude, a supplication, a re-dedication, and a libation.

Firstly you must remove all physical traces of the boat's old name.  Take all papers that bear the name  ashore, including books and charts with the name inscribed.  Be ruthless.  Sand away the old name from the lifebuoys, transom, dinghy, oars, yes, sand away, painting over is not good enough.

You are dealing with the Gods here, you understand, not mere dumb mortals.  If the old name is carved or etched, try to remove it, or at least fill it with putty and paint over it.  And don't place the new name anywhere on the boat before the denaming ceremony is carried out.  That is tempting fate.

If you like a bit of a show, you could turn the ceremony into a party, with you dressed in your best blazer and skipper's cap, you can read it with flair in front of a gathering of distinguished guests (ignore the giggles).   But if you find the whole thing slightly silly and embarrassing, and are only going along with it because you are scared to death of what might happen if you don't, you can skulk below and mumble the words on your own.  The words must be spoken,  a good compromise would be to hide the text folded in newspaper and read out loud to your partner (they already know you are a bit strange anyway).   The main thing is that it is carried out.  

The last part of the ceremony, the libation, must be performed at the bow, just as in a naming ceremony.  Two things to watch out for here.  Don't use cheap-cheap champagne, and don't try to keep any back for yourself.  Buy a second bottle if you want some.  Use a reasonably expensive brew, based on your ability to pay, and pour the lot on the boat.  One of the things the gods of the sea despise most is meanness, so don't try to do this bit on the cheap.

Denaming Ceremony

"In the name of all who have sailed aboard this ship in the past, and in the name of all who may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favour us with their blessing today.

Mighty Neptune, king of all that moves in or on the waves; and mighty Aeolus (pronounced EE-oh-lus), guardian of the winds and all that blows before them:

We offer you our thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past.  We voice our gratitude that she has always found shelter from tempest and storm and enjoyed safe passage to port.

Now, wherefore, we submit this supplication, that the name whereby this vessel has hitherto been known (_______), be struck and removed from your records.

Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name, she shall be recognised and shall be accorded once again the selfsame privileges she previously enjoyed.

In return for which, 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 wind and the sea.

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

Now you can pop the cork, shake the bottle and spray the contents on the bow, go quietly below and enjoy the other bottle, or get noisy and share a bottle with your guests.

After a boat is denamed, you simply rename it using the traditional christening ceremony, preferably with royalty (or a pretty lady)  breaking the bottle of champagne on the bow and incanting the words"

"I  name this ship (________), may god bless her and all who sail in her."

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