Guest Writer - Simon Rowell

Distinguished Guests

One meets many distinguished visitors on boats, but these two must be right up there:

King Neptune

The god of the sea, who wreaks punishment on the guilty as they cross the Equator for the first time (and quite often for the second, too). He is traditionally helped by his lieutenants, who investigate the charges and bring the guilty for trial. The court system is scrupulously fair, and so far has a 100% success rate.

Neptune is also to be thanked at important moments at sea, for example the moment of crossing the Equator, or when crossing the International Date Line. This is done by giving something of value back to him – a tot of rum, a ginger biscuit, or some such thing. This is done almost religiously by anyone who goes to sea for any length of time – not that sailors are superstitious, you understand.

The picture above shows Neptune (centre) and his 2 lieutenants on the way from Salvador to New York in 2003. They bear an uncanny resemblance to a rather camp Stoker Baird (now lockkeeper at Birdham Pool), Simon Rowell (general layabout) and Frankie Evearart (the Belgian army).

Father Christmas

Not usually associated with the sea, he is however diligent in his duties. This shot shows him arriving to deliver presents to the crew of Gypsy Moth IV in Thailand this Christmas just gone. Father Christmas (frighteningly close in appearance to Tim Magee, skipper of Liverpool 08 in the Clipper 05-06 race, and last Christmas skippering Gipsy Moth IV) is in full tropical rig, and has resorted to 5 o’clock shadow rather than the full beard – more hygienic in the tropics, apparently. As always, Santa’s little helpers were very welcome!

As with all mystical figures, the proper respect must be shown – Gypsy Moth IV had been dressed overall with the correct flags, which is why Father Christmas decided to visit.