John Vigor, writing for Good Old Boat magazine, says he couldn't find much information when he wanted to rename his newly-purchased 31-foot sloop a few years ago.
One yacht owner dismissed his worries about giving an already-christened boat a new name. He said he'd bought and sold two dozen boats without bad luck.
But Vigor wasn't taking chances.
Through research, he determined there ought to be a renaming ceremony for such events. And he reasoned it ought to consist of five parts: an invocation, an expression of gratitude, a supplication, a re-dedication and a libation.
So he wrote his own ceremony. It worked for him and it's been followed by thousands. Here it is – Vigor's 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 may sail aboard her in the future, we invoke the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favor 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 recognized 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."
Vigor says a traditional christening ceremony must follow the denaming ceremony, preferably with Queen Elizabeth breaking a bottle of champagne on the bow, and saying the words:
"I name this ship ___________, and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her."
Good luck with that part.
