First, remove anything and everything that bears the original or previous name of the boat from the vessel. This includes the name on the dinghy, on the life rings and the logbook. Be sure to remove any old invoices too!
Take a small stone and write the previous name of the boat on it with water soluble ink.
Ring the ship’s bell to call King Neptune and your crew to attention. Then stand on the bow of the ship and pop a bottle, or more, of champagne loudly enough to call up the ancient gods of the sea by saying,
“Mighty Neptune we offer thanks for the protection you have afforded this vessel in the past and now ask that you remove the old name “_________________________”
from the Ledger of the Deep forever.”
With that, drop the stone over the bow into the water, followed by a good splash of champagne from the bottle and then share the champagne amongst your guests and crew while King Neptune gnaws away at that name.
Once you are certain that the libations have been well received by all, ring the bell again to summons everyone to the bow. Pop open a few more bottles of bubbly with aplomb as this will alert King Neptune that the naming ceremony is about to begin.
From the bow sacrifice a generous splash of champagne overboard to aid with the purging of the old name so that King Neptune can presume his position on deck !
With your glass raised and a stern expression, in a bold voice say,
“In the name of all those who have sailed aboard this ship in the past and in the name of all of those who will sail on her in the future, we ask the ancient gods of the winds and seas to favour us with their blessing today. Mighty Neptune, King of all that moves in or on the waves, we ask that you shelter this vessel from storm and tempest and guide her always with a safe passage home to port.
By now, you will be feeling the calming effects of the ceremony and all glasses will be drained. Remember that it is bad luck if an empty glass starts to ring, fill all glasses to the brim! and station a few guests on each quarter and the stern to call on the four winds.
Starting at the bow, face out and the toast the wind coming from the direction you are facing. Each time take a good glug from your glass and a good glug for your Mate and then sacrifice a good slop for the gods of the sea. Ring the bell to gather the crew near the bow (on board or on the dock) and with filled chalice in hand say,
“In the presence of Mighty Neptune and the gods of the winds and the seas,
I name this ship ”______________________” may she bring good fortune to all who sail on her. May she have fair winds and calm seas with always a fistful of water under her keel.”
Raise your glasses and toast “To ______________________”
Now, pour champagne from the bottles on the bow of the ship so that it bubbles and runs down both port and starboard gunnels to the stern !
Refresh all glasses and drink a toast to the Captain . . . and if you are at all doubtful . . . remember it’s not bad luck to change the name of a boat, it’s bad luck not to perform a proper naming ceremony !
Thanks for the advice from Capt. Vigor.