This morning the new Bushranger, owned by Gerry Hatton was blessed at the club.
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 Bushranger.
“TO THE SAILORS OF OLD AND TO BUSHRANGER”
The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent.
We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on, that her keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.
“TO THE SEA TO THE SAILORS OF OLD AND TO THE SEA”
Today we come to name this lady Bushranger, and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for our family and friends.
We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea, to accept Bushrangeras her name, to help her through her passages, and allow her to return with her crew safely.
“TO THE SEA, TO THE SAILORS BEFORE US AND TO BUSHRANGER”
With a pour of champagne over the bow to appease King Neptune, and a lay of a branch of green leaves on her deck to ensure safe returns, Bushranger is set to sail.