VESSEL RECHRISTENING CEREMONY

Staff Commodore John Danielson hosted Berkeley Yacht Club Boat Christening giving members the opportunity to have their boats ceremonially named and welcomed into the Berkeley Yacht Club fleet. Staff Commodore/Captain Chuck Bullett officiating this year. This tradition goes back to the beginning of our club in 1939 and has been a part of our Opening Day celebrations, but the actual Blessing of the Ship goes back to the ship building trade and has not changed but from those days. Two sailing vessels participated this year blessing belonging to S/C John Danielson (S/V Gadis Pulau) and Bill Riley and Sharon Greenhagen (S/V Deux Coeur).

  The renaming ceremony comes after the Ceremony of Banishment of Former Name and then the Blessing Ceremony begins. Captain Chuck Bullett began the ceremony with “We are here today to applaud, bless, and support the crew of this worthy Sailing Vessel with Staff Commodore John Danielson and his friends, and all who sail her in the steeped traditions of the ship building trade and in particular, present our offerings to the Gods and Goddesses of the Seas and the Winds.” The full ceremony requires the participants to throw “bubblies” into the sea at the points of the compass. Captain Chuck Bullett went on with ”Oh mighty and great rulers of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships who venture upon shall engage to pay homage and implore you to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all be known as “Gadis Pulau”, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journey within your realm. In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honor of your greatness, we offer these liberations to your majesty and your court. Now, please face to the North.” At each point we flung a few drops of bubbly into the sea as we proclaim Gadis Pulau’s new name. And at the end the final blessing “May all who sail on Gadis Pulau, be renewed in spirit through the encounter with the beauty of the sea, whether among the seals and fishes, or the leviathans of the deep. For all these good things we ask the favor of your kind breath…TO THE SEA”!

Captain Chuck Bullett then moved to the Sailing Vessel Deux Coeur (Two Hearts) and repeated the ceremony with Bill Riley and Sharon Greenhagen and their friends. At the end of each blessing Captain Bullett read the Sailor’s Psalm 23 below.

Sailor’s Paraphrased Psalm 23

The wind sprites are my pilot; I shall not drift.

They ligheth me across dark waters.

They steereth me deep in channels.

They keepeth my log.

They guideth me beneath stars of holiness for the universe’s sake.

Yea, though I sail ‘mid the thunders and tempest of life,

I shall dread no anger, for thou art with me.

Thy love and thy care, they shelter me.

You preparest a harbour for me in the homeland of eternity.

Thou anointest the waves with becalming oils

So my ship rideth calmly.

Surely sunlight and starlight shall favor us and our crew on the voyages on which we embark,

And we will rest in the port of the spirit of the sea forever, and more.

In conclusion the Blessing for All Sailors. “Creator of all, you were there at the beginning of all time and are with us in all of our activities. Bestow your protection upon this vessel and all who sail her along with those Vessels before and after her. Give these skippers and crews a presence of mind in danger and guide them as they keep this vessel in good repair. Grant them the wisdom of knowing when to go out and when to stay put, so that they may have safe passage.”

We then continued on the dock with more refreshments. Looking forward to this tradition continuing for many years. See you next year on Opening Day.