Yachting Monthly asked a while ago about boat renaming ceremonies and we promised to dig out an ‘order of service’ we attended a long time ago.  Anyway, the scanner was playing up so I have painfully typed it in full, expect a mention for this please Yachting Monthly

Order of Service

The de-naming whereby the old name of the vessel is forgotten.

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 ask Almighty God, and the ancient gods of the wind and the sea to favour us with their blessing today.

Almighty God, Creator of Might Neptune’ king of all that move in or on the waves, guardian of the winds and all the 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.

Oh might and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and crews are required to pay homage, we implore you to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the [name of boat] which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom.  As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea.

A metal tag bearing the old boat name is dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea.

Further, we ask that when she is again presented for blessing with another name she shall be recognised and shall be accorded once again the priviliges she previously enjoyed.  In return for which , we dedicate this vessel to your domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject always to the laws of the wind and the sea.  We now seal this pact with an offering according to the hallowed ritual of the sea.

Half a bottle of Champagne is poured into the sea from East to West.

[The vessel now has no name]

The Naming, Christening and Blessing

Neptune, Ruler of the seas and oceans, we implore you in  your graciousness to take into your records and recollection this worthy vessel, guarding her and ensuring safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

We now appease the angels of the wind to ensure smooth seas and fair winds.

oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.

Facing the North – Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind, grant us permission to use your power, in the pursuit of our maritime endeavours, ever sparing us the scourge of your frigid breath.

Facing the West -  Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your power, in the pursuit of our maritime endeavours, ever sparing us the scourge of your wild breath.

Then facing South -  Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind, grant us permission to use your power, in the pursuit of our maritime endeavours, ever sparing us the scourge of your scalding breath.

Then facing East –  great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East  Wind, grant us permission to use your power, in the pursuit of our maritime endeavours, ever sparing us the scourge of your mighty breath.

We now bless this vessel with all four elements to insure it remains in balance with the forces of the world.

The first ancient element was AIR.  Air is the element of thought and logic of clear vision.  By blessing this vessel with air, we ask that the skipper be always blessed with clear knowledge and the skill to overcome all obstacles.  Feather

The second element is FIRE.  Fire is the element of change and magic; of transformation and of will.  I bless this boat with fire, God of mercy we ask your protection on this vessel and that she may behave well in the water.  Latern

The third element is WATER.  Water is the element of emotions and love; of relationships and friendships.  I bless this boat with water.  God of Love may this vessel always be surrounded by good friends.  Bottle of water

The last element is EARTH.  Earth is the element of basic needs and sustenance; of material things and health and financial matters.  I bless this boat with earth.  Creator God may all who travel in her have good health, wealth and happiness.  Salt

All present now take a glass of Champagne

Almighty God, who guided Noah in the building of an Ark, and calmed the raging sea, we call upon you to bless those who have prepared this ship for service, and to protect and preserve those who sail in her and surround them with your loving care.

I now christen this ship. In the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I name this ship [name of boat]

Amen

A bottle of Champagne is poured over the bow of the vessel.

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 you to celebrate the naming of [name of boat]

Then everybody raises their glass and shouts:  To … [name of boat]

Everybody takes a sip

Today we name this lady [name of boat] and send her to sea to be cared for

Let us pray.

We ask you  Almighty God  and the sailors of old to accept [name of boat] as her name, to help her through her passages and allow her to return with her crew safely.

The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to angry.  We asj that this ship be given the strength to carry on.

We ask that You, invincible God keep the keel strong and the she keeps out the pressures of the sea.

Lord, be well disposed to our prayers and by your holy hand bless [name of boat] in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit this worth vessel [name of boat] and its passengers as you were pleased to let your blessing hover over Noah’s Ark in the Deluge.

Reach out your hand to them Lord as you did to blessed Peter as he walked upon the sea.

Send your holy angels from on high to watch over it and all on board to ward off any threat of disaster and to guide its course through calm eaters to safe harbours.  May You, in your loving providence, bring them back with glad hearts to their own country and home.

We ask this of you who live and reign forever and ever.

Amen

She is now sprinkled with holy water.

Now we salute [name of boat] and pour the champagne from our glasses over the bow to appease Your servant King Neptune.

We have managed to take some clandestine photos direct from the Wightsails Research and Development department testing the latest product, namely kites made from recycled sailcloth.   Old spinnakers act as the kite, old sail battens are used as spars and whilst this one has string, we will be using kevlar/carbon strands as the kite string.

We understand that this is ‘version 4′ .  Version 5 will be the working prototype and then Version 6 will be the launched product.  Naturally, we have all gone kite mad and I would like to build a spaceship from recycled sailcloth!  One thing at a time.

Windfarm wars could be coming to the Island as the planning departments is soon to decide whether to approve a wind farm in Yarmouth. (photo courtesy of the Daily Telegraph)

Given we are all hoping to be an eco island and actually leave something good behind for our children I thought I would have a quick look at the arguments for and against wind farms (yes I sit on the pro wind turbine side of the fence – but this is an open minded post).

The basic arguments for windfarms

-  the government has a target to reach in 2020 to generate at least 15% of energy from renewables

-  no nasty smells or gases in the process, clean energy

-  we decrease reliance on other sources of energy both at home and buying from abroad

-  we create eco reliant jobs and create centre of excellence for eco projects.  We lead!

-  as more are created the price becomes cheaper to install and maintain

And the arguments against

-  often in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

-  noise has been blamed for health issues such as stress and insomnia

-  they have to be backed up by traditional methods as they don’t operate at full power all the time

-  money has to be spent upgrading the grid to deal with them and surges etc

-  expensive to build and only have a shelf life of 25 years

There are more arguments, but these are some of the normal ones put forward.   The writers opinion is largely based on logic and fact, namely oil, coal and gas will run out, nuclear is unpopular.  Wind will always be around and technology will improve efficiency, cost and even the look of the things.

Have your say on the planning application.

A small intro video about the cafe and if you watch it to the end there is some lovely footage of a little girl playing in front of our windbreaks!

Still early days, but here we are working on some early design windbreaks and I must say they look rather good.   The poles are not the oak ones I mentioned, just cheap ones taken from a Chinese made windbreak.

The strange looking orb is a solar lamp that is ugly but effective.

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Note the attractive looking beach scene with accompanying greenhouse