Equator-crossing ceremony held

PANO - After leaving Changi Port (Singapore), Sailing Vessel 286 – Le Quy Don and the mission of the Vietnam People’s Navy on board continue to visit Indonesia in the framework of its sea training tour with visits and exchanges with Singaporean and Indonesian navies.

Vessel 286 – Le Quy Don departs for Indonesia and Singapore

Vietnam People’s Navy hands over distressed foreign fishermen

The vessel crossed the Equator in an unfavorable weather condition.

The equator-crossing ceremony was held right on the sailing vessel. The equator-crossing ceremony is a long-standing cultural ritual, originating from Europe, to acknowledge and encourage sailors for their great efforts in a long voyage, crossing the equator of the Earth. The ritual also expresses the sailors' gratitude to the gods, especially the God of the Sea, for their support during long voyages.

The PANO would like to introduce several photos of the ceremony.

Cadets of the Vietnam Naval Academy participating in the ceremony

Senior Colonel Tran Tien Dung, Chief of the Department of Politics of the Academy, puts an equator-crossing seal on each crewmember's forehead.

After that, they move to meet the sea gods. Two men dress up as King Neptune and his wife, Queen Amphitrite.

They are given the equator’s water by the God of Sea.

This is the reward from the God of the Sea for their courage and strength when crossing the equator.

King Neptune allows sailors to kiss the Queen's feet, knees, or arms...

.... before they implement ritual purification.

The ceremony concludes when Naval Captain Nguyen Duc Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Naval Academy and head of the mission, presents equator-crossing certificates to all crewmembers.

The certificate includes information about the person crossing the equator, the Sailing Vessel 286 – Le Quy Don's logo, and signature of the head of the delegation.