Volvo Ocean Race - Team SCA ready for equator crossing

by Corinna Halloran on 22 Oct 2014 Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15, Day 10 onboard Team SCA. Two days, eight hours, thirty-four minutes, and ten seconds, nine seconds, eight, seven, six, five… over the last few days the clock has gotten louder and louder as it counts down to October 23rd at noon—the time when we cross the equator and the time when myself and six other sailors join the rest of our crew in King Neptune’s court.

'Hey want to hide?' Stacey asked Libby.

'Sure, but I also have to tell them we’re crossing the Equator,' Libby (the navigator) replied.

Stacey has been trying to be extra nice to Abby, who has organized our Equatorial baptism. She has used chocolate, done small favors, and even cleaned the deck of flying fish before Abby’s watch. To put things into context as to what we are about to go through—Abby hates fish solely because of her line crossing ceremony many years ago.

'They mixed up some sort of Tabasco, chili pepper sauce and made us eat it,' Sophie explained. 'It was so gross.'

Typically, King Neptune himself comes to the boat to 'welcome' new crew. It generally involves a sacrifice to the sea and some rotting fish gruel (a recipe only known to King Neptune). The rest of the ceremony’s details I am unfamiliar with, however, judging by the way most of the Volvo Ocean Race crews were hyping up the event way back in Alicante, it will sure to be nothing short of extreme. Generally, if your predecessors gave you a tough ceremony then you give a tough ceremony when it’s your chance.

The King Neptune Line Crossing Ceremony dates back to forever and a day, and is still used in the British Merchant Navy, Royal Navy, Dutch Merchant Navy, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US coast Guard, and other international Navies. The ceremony is both a morale booster and a deep-seated tradition.

Before we left, Libby did a bit of research and was able to fill us Equator Crossing Virgins in on why we are about to take part in a ceremony that has left some sailors scarred for life.

'Well there are the Shellbacks and the Pollywogs,' Libby explained. 'Basically, you are a Pollywog until you cross the Equator. Pollywogs cannot be trusted. Then, you cross the Equator, take part in the crossing ceremony, and you become a Shellback. Shellbacks are honorable and trustworthy.'

Another reason why the ceremony began was to mark those who could handle the long rough times at sea.

'You know, they could be nice ceremonies—they don’t have to have all this gruel and torture,' Sara said.

No, they do—the more torture, the more rank, the more gruel-- the better.

'It’s a shame we just can’t go around the Equator,' Stacey said in a half serious tone.

Nope, we can’t go around so instead we must hold our nose and go through it. Fingers crossed King Neptune isn’t too harsh! Two days, seven hours, forty-four minutes, three seconds, two, one…

Pollywogs:

- Libby
- Stacey
- Carolijn
- Corinna
- Sally
- Sara
- Justine

Shellbacks:

- Abby
- Sam
- Liz
- Sophie
- Team SCA