changing a ships name?

Question

wht is it unlucky to change a ships name?

Answer 1

Here are the details of the ceremony for changing the name of a ship.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/rename.htm

Answer 2

You've got a few good answers about where the superstition came from. Even though the names of ships are sometimes changed (like the Exxon Valdez) the ship's bell (with the original name) is rarely changed. This goes back to Poseidon being able to recognize the ship.

The S/R Mediterranean (former Exxon Valdez) still has the original bell with the original name on it.
Another interesting fact about that ship - right before it ran aground the ship had just earned a safety award (a certain number of years with no reportable incidents) - but the crew hadn't received the awards yet - I was told they were getting belt buckles. Somewhere ExxonMobil has boxes full of theses safety award belt buckles with "Exxon Valdez 1989" on them... Can you imagine what those would go for on eBay?!?

Answer 3

It was an old sailors' superstition, that many modern yachtsmen still adhere to.
There are three exceptions to when it is unlucky to change a ship / yacht's name;
1. When you defeat the ship in battle, board her and take her as a prize or an addition to your own Navy ( it is bad luck to NOT change the name of a defeated ship)
2. When the vessel has actually sunk and been recovered and made seaworthy again. At that point she must be renamed according to superstition.
3. When you buy a vessel that has had her name changed, perhaps several times, and you search through registration for her original commisioned name and rename her in her original name.
Best regards,
Geoff
www.sailingunlimited.net

Answer 4

I have heard this many times.

Plenty of people do it. You quite often see ships with a name but when you look closely they have another name underneath.

These ships are still floating so it can't be THAT unlucky.

Answer 5

Here in Ireland ot was unheard of to change a boats name but times have changed , I think the scots started first to change the names of ships boats as they bought them to name of boat they had before then selling their old boat under a different name . Now everyboady seems to change the names all the time , seems more like fashion than superstition

Answer 6

I have always heard that it is unlucky, I do not know why. We never did change a boats name until we got our big one named Mystery and renamed the Cape Dory 10, its new dinghy, from Pucka to Clue. (Pucka in old English means strong and well built, as well as being a friendly spirit) No harm has come. Now clue follows Mystery.

Answer 7

Has to do with Poissoiden not knowing the name of the boat.

You CAN safely change the name of a boat, but there is a lengthy ceremony for doing it... and it takes a lot of Champagne...

Answer 8

Its a sailors superstition not to EVER change the name of a vessel. Extremely bad luck will follow. Its not in good taste to do so.

Answer 9

There is noting unlucky but if you drown dont blame me or haunt me.

Answer 10

It offends the sea gods and confuses them as to which ships to protect and which one to damn so the gods damn it just to be sure. As good as any other explanation concerning ancient traditions of the sea.