The naming of a boat is a ritual that can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be, but it is something that people often overlook. For hundreds, maybe thousands of years sailors have given names to their boats. I have no idea why, but I am sure someone will let me know, but I think it is something to do with the personal relationship that a sailor forms with a vessel which when it comes down to it he entrusts with his life.  Perhaps that is why ships are assigned the female gender?

In the waters that we will be sailing of course one of the most famous ships in Greek mythology, Jason’s Argo, made its epic journey in search of the Golden Fleece.  The actual route that the Argonauts took is, as in much of Greek mythology, a matter of fierce debate but I prefer Robert Graves’ interpretation that the Golden Fleece was located somewhere in the northern Adriatic and that the Argonauts explored parts of the River Po in their travels.  That, of course means that Lothian Sky is on the trail of the Golden Fleece ……….. except in reverse!

The text of the ceremony is here Boat Naming Ceremony for anyone, without a life, who is remotely interested.  The reality was much more painfull as you can see from the video. 

The idea as you will see is to appease the gods of sea and winds.  Clearly, in view of the experience with the Bora which took place some 8 hours later we did something wrong!