Nr. 1 2010 - Handelsflådens Velfærdsråd

thE CrossinG CErEMony
the tradition that any seafarer crossing the Line, i.e. the equator for the first time should be ”baptized” to become
a fully initiated seafarer goes back several centuries. after the ceremony a Certificate of Crossing is awarded bearing the
seafarer’s name, the date of the ”baptismal ceremony”and the master’s attestation of a duly executed ceremony
The crossing ceremony
is an old seafaring
tradition and the custom
has survived the many twists
and turns throughout the
history of shipping. The earliest
mention of an organized
crossing ceremony dates from
the 1520s and, allowing for
less common and localized
variants, the ceremony is
030° HOriSOnt
described from the navies
and merchant marines of
many different nations.
Originally, the equatorial
baptism was an initiation
into the seafaring profession
and occasionally the excited
participants lost control.
With time, the ceremony was
established as a merry joke
for all onboard, seafarers as
king neptune and his singing entourage are coming on board m/t torm Gerd.
well as passengers. When
crossing the equator all
novices were to be ”baptized”
to become fully initiated.
The baptismal ceremony
itself may be kept very
simple, but most prefer a
more elaborate and festive
setting for which special
costumes and equipment are
essential. No matter how you
choose to organize the event,
note that there are some
ground rules that should be
observed:
• The crossing ceremony
should be fun and a
harmless joke for all on
board.
• Respect anyone who does
not want to take part in the
event.