Here it is, July, and the boat still has not been renamed.  I still have not received the documentation back from the Coast Guard changing the name of my Morgan 45 from Mystique to Lazando la Brisa.  Somewhere along the line, the documentation application has gotten lost.  I'm told now that it will be forthcoming soon.  And in the meantime, I'm told, it should be OK to go ahead and change the graphics on the boat, as long as I keep a copy of the application on board.

So, my son Carl, and I spent most of today removing the name from all sides of the boat.  There were large graphics on both sides of the stern, as well as smaller graphics on both sides of the bow.  Next, we must insure that there are no remnants of the name aboard (in logs, personalized stationery, etc. - lest the boat becomes confused about her true name.)  And, we are supposed to sail her at least once with no name on her so that she forgets the old one.  Then we will apply the new graphics, and follow that with a renaming ceremony.  Here are what the new graphics look like:

The graphics were designed by John Marston of Marine Graphics, Inc.  You can view some of John's work at http://www.marinegraphics.com.

As I said, the next step will be to conduct a proper renaming ceremony.  To that end, several people have given me copies of the ceremonies they used, made suggestions on how to do it, or told me where to find information on the subject.  As a result, I have put together my own little ceremony taken from the many suggestions.  It's a short simple ceremony, followed with a poem written by Ralph E. Ahseln.  Here it is:

Now therefore, we submit this supplication: that you recognize and bless this vessel as Lazando la Brisa, and afford her the same protection she previously enjoyed. In return for this, we rededicate this vessel to thy domain in full knowledge that she shall be subject to the immutable laws of the gods of sea and wind. In consequence whereof, and in good faith, we seal this pact with a libation offered according to the hallowed Ritual of the Sea.

 Aeolus, whose mighty hand doth charge the wind,
To this vessel gentle zephyrs send,
And we who sail within will bend
Our heads in tribute, Never end.

With breath from high that maketh heaven's breeze,
To cause we sailors joy, or fear, upon the seas.
We call upon you Aeolus, please -
grant this ship and its mortals ease.

O! Poseidon, you spirit god of waters great and small,
On this vessel, by your grace, allow these sons and daughters all,
to pass from port of hailing to their port of call,
And on these sailing subjects make your gentle blessings fall.

You who cause the seas to rage or lie in sweet repose,
Please list to we mariners here, your servants of the flows.
This ship, the captain, crew and all of those -
Who love the wind and seas - will follow where thee goes.


 
(Toast)

To Poseidon, Aeolus and to the Lazando la Brisa.   May she always find fair winds, good sailing and safe harbor.