Welcome to the Sea 2 BRNR
By Catherine Geiger
1. Choose the right day - July 16th, 2022
We had the choice of having the boat delivered on the 14th or the 15th, which happened to be a Thursday or Friday. Legend says that holding a christening ceremony on a Thursday provokes Thor, the god of thunder, so the 14th was ruled out. Fridays are considered bad luck for religious reasons, so the 15th was out of question. That left us with Saturday the 16th.
While the boat was technically placed in water on the 15th, we did not assign the name until the boat had completed its 'Sea Trial' - a roughly 40 mile trip from Anacortes, WA to Sidney, BC Canada.
2. Gather friends and Family at the Boat
The boat was parked at Custom Yacht Sales' marina overnight after clearing customs and completing the Sea Trial. On Saturday morning, around 9:30 AM, Rom and I applied the name to the front of the cabin and we (Dad, Mom, Rom, and I) gathered at the bow.
3. Distribute your Drink of Choice
Red wine is the traditional option, so we poured Cabernet Sauvignon into wine glasses Mom made sure to pack. Everyone had a drink in hand; we poured a splash into the sea for good measure.
4. Give a Toast
After a brief intro and sharing of my excitement about the travels to come, I recited a traditional poem. Everyone raised their glasses and took a swig of wine for each of the toasts.
For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us, and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them “she.” To them, we toast and ask to celebrate 2 BRNR.
Toast: “To the sailors of old! To 2 BRNR!
The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on. The keels are strong, and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.
Toast: To the sea! To the sailors of old! To the sea!
Today, we come to name this lady 2 BRNR and send her to sea to be cared for and to care for Jonathan, Heidi, and Catherine. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept 2 BRNR as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely.
Toast: To the sea! To the sailors before us! To 2 BRNR!
5. Lay a Branch of Green Leaves on the Deck
Dad and I cut a branch of salal from our home in WA and brought it with us to lay across the bow. The branch was to stay with the boat for the maiden voyage, symbolizing the land and a safe return from our journey.
6. Break the Bottle on the Bow of the Boat
After the speech, a bottle of Champagne was broken over the bow to christen the boat. I had read stories and watched videos about the bad luck that can come from not breaking the bottle on the first swing, so I was quite nervous. We had a bottle of cheap bubbly wrapped in cloth, in order to prevent shards of glass from getting everywhere, and I put on some safety glasses. With a big swing and a satisfying pop, the bottle exploded perfectly and champagne spilled over the bow and into the water!
7. Take a Maiden Voyage to Completely Christen the Boat
By 10 AM, Captain Jonathan took the helm and we began our maiden voyage. We were blessed with great weather on our two day journey, which allowed for plenty of time to observe the environment and familiarize ourselves with the boat and computer systems. By the end of the first day, roughly 5hrs of boating, we had made it Campbell River. While mom and dad wanted to get a hotel, I strongly encouraged we get the full experience and sleep on the boat... it is safe to say that the sleeping arrangements are a little tight and not the most comfortable, but well worth it. The next morning we breezed right through the Seymour Narrows, experiencing only ~30 minutes of turbulent waters, and several hours later docked safely on Hull.
Calm waters, salal branch on the bow
Sleeping quarters for Heidi and Catherine
We made it!
It was such an honor to be a part of this journey - I wish 2 BRNR, and all of her sailors, safe passage and good fortune at sea.
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