The practice of "Crossing the Line" is a ceremony that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator by ship. Those who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed "Shellbacks", and those who have not, are called "Pollywogs". The day a ship crossed the equator is referred to as Neptune Day. The ceremonies feature King Neptune, Queen Minerva, and a "court" of Shellbacks that assist with the ceremony.
The event is a ritual that dates back to the early 1800's in which a shipboard crew who were Shellbacks, were organized into a "Court of Neptune" to indoctrinate the Slimy Pollywogs into "the mysteries of the deep".
Pollywogs who wish to take part in the "line crossing" ceremony on the MV Explorer, will be summoned to appear before King Neptune and his court. The Pollywogs may be "interrogated" by King Neptune and his entourage, and are asked to recite a poem regarding their worthiness. During the ceremony, the Pollywogs who wish to participate perform a series of tasks and then are anointed to be "proper Shellbacks".
These are the pictures that I have from the day. I still haven't had a chance to get the rest from everyone else!
Sunset before crossing the equator
Neptune Day!!
(Pollywogs!)
Acceptance process... Fish guts and kissing a fish!
Official Shellbacks!
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