FBYC's Newest Yacht Christened
on Monday June 5, 2006 11:50AM
On Saturday night, Deborah and Durwood Usry christened FBYC's newest yacht - so new in fact that is not yet even in the Yacht Register.
The Red and white yacht is a 1957 Larsen Thunderhawk, Jr. - LOA 16' - and she is powered by a 1961 Mercury 50HP Model 500 engine.
Among the details at the carefully planned festivities was an unveiling of the name of the yacht - Aqua Belva - beautifully painted on the side of the stern by our own Kaptain Krunch. The name was not misspelled from the more familiar after shave lotion - but in fact Belva is the first name of Deborah's Mother.
The text for the Christening ceremony follows:
AQUA BELVA
June 3rd, 2006 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 to celebrate AQUA BELVA. Then everybody raises their plastic glass filled with champagne or your favorite non-alcoholic beverage and shouts, "TO THE SAILORS OF OLD TO Aqua Belva Everybody takes a sip.
"The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea." Again the glasses are raised, and the assemblage shouts, "TO THE SEA...TO THE SAILORS OF OLD...TO THE SEA!" Everybody takes another sip.
"Today we come to name this lady, AQUA BELVA, and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for the Usry/Logan family. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept AQUA BELVA as her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely. Again, with the raising of the glasses, "TO THE SEA...TO THE SAILORS BEFORE US...TO AQUA BELVA." A last, long sip by all.
Now pour champagne over the bow to appease King Neptune, and lay a branch of green leaves on the deck to ensure safe returns.
