A sailboat blessing and christening took place at the Coronado Yacht Club last Saturday. Long-time Coronado residents Steven and Susan Schelkun wanted to include their family and friends in the celebration of their new ‘baby” and hosted the event on the guest dock of the CYC.
Steven shared, “There are a lot of nautical traditions in boating. Naming a new boat is like naming a new baby. You have to put a lot of thought into it and share the ceremony with your good friends. The name of our boat reflects the optimism that Susan and I wish on our friends to have a good day “bon jour” but with a slight modification that emphasizes my love for my career as an orthopaedic surgeon, hence the name “Bonejour”.
Since Steven is a Navy man he further explained that “Sailors are usually superstitious as well, so a boat blessing from Pastor Lisa Johnson (St. Paul’s United Methodist Church) helps assure smooth sailing and safe passages. Just like christening a new baby, we dress our proud new member of the family in its finest clothes (traditional signal flags) and “baptise ” it with a bottle of champagne.” (see below photos)
Dressing Ship / Flag Etiquette (United States Power Squadrons)
On national holidays, at regattas, and on other special occasions, yachts often “dress ship” with International Code of Signal flags. The ship is dressed at 0800, and remains so dressed until evening colors (while at anchor only, except for a vessel’s maiden and final voyages, and participation in a marine parade or other unique situation).
In dressing ship, the national ensign is hoisted at the stern staff (and the Union Jack may be displayed at the jack (bow) staff on government vessels). A rainbow of flags of the International Code is arranged, reaching from the water line forward to the water line aft, by way of the bowsprit end (or stem if there’s no bowsprit) and the masthead(s). Flags and pennants are bent on alternately, rather than in any indiscriminate manner. Since there are twice as many letter flags as numeral pennants, it is good practice, as in the Navy, to follow a sequence of two flags, one pennant, two flags, one pennant, throughout. The sequence recommended here provides a harmonious color pattern throughout:
Starting from forward: AB2, UJ1, KE3, GH6, IV5, FL4, DM7, PO Third Repeater, RN First Repeater, ST Zero, CX9, WQ8, ZY Second Repeater.
Pastor Lisa shared a personal prayer and then recited the following prayer:
Sailor’s Paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my pilot, I shall not drift.
He lighteth me across the dark waters.
He steereth me in the deep channels.
He keepeth my log.
He guideth me beneath stars of his holiness for his name’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.
Thou preparest a harbour for me in the homeland of eternity.
Thou anointest the waves with oil
My ship rideth calmly.
Surely sunlight and starlight shall favour me on the voyage I take,
And I will rest in the port of God forever.
The ‘dressed up’ boat Bonejour.
Steven Schelkun and Pastor Lisa Johnson
Susan Schelkun winding up for the christening. Learn more about the history of ship naming and launching.
Congratulations, and many years of smooth sailing!
