There is a moment when you realize that despite all our technology and modern ships - when Mother Nature is pissed, we are suddenly very small and very squishy.
I wish that realization upon everyone that hasn’t realized it yet. Treasure what we have (left) instead of grieving all we have (already) lost afterwards also.
Being prior Navy, I can't help but give a nod of respect to your CO. That man is made of sterner stuff. Also, the technology may change, but the sea? She never changes.
"I'm gonna find a crew that doesn't speak English!" Actually, seeing the superstitions and traditions of non-European/American sailors could be interesting for a video...
right? both to see which ones they have that we don't and to see which ones overlap despite a difference in cultures. still sailing the same waters after all
Gods have mercy, the people from Spanish-speaking places that aren't Spain never stfu about devil this, devil that when it comes to water and caves. Like I'd expect that crap from the Italians, you know?
As someone who is still in high school and is planning to go into a maritime career. Hearing that anecdote made me extremely excited to eventually start my career.
I got underway for patrol on CGC Steadfast on the 31st of December, and was met with waves in excess of 20 feet. Some of the worst weather I had seen at that point. A very bad start to a patrol and I now firmly believe in maritime superstition.
Sweet baybee jebus, this is outstanding. Also, you know you were raised by some water going military people when... I swear to god, every time ANYTHING even remotely negative happens in the maritime world, before I can stop myself, I immediately think, "Bet they set out on a Friday." I will neither confirm nor deny as to whether I then immediately go looking for that answer. (Because OF COURSE I DO. I don't make the rules. I just abide by them.) But yes, more of this, all of it, the stories, the voices and dear lawd that amazing art. ** grabby hands **
When you mentioned a bad start to a voyage, my mind instantly went to the SS _New York_ breaking her moorings and almost colliding with the RMS _Titanic_ as the latter departed Southampton. Apparently, the fact that the smaller vessel shared her name with the _Titanic's_ destination didn't help alleviate fears either.
Hmm...... Apollo 13, Commander James Lovell "I think we just had our glitch for this mission, fellas" as the centre main engine failed during the first stage of launch, little knowing what was yet to come!
So glad you keep posting vids, love them all 👌 . Captain's job is to keep all in check by any means possible, freaking out the juniors is perfectly acceptable if not laudable.
Superstitions or traditions can be silly and outdated, but I still think it's cool that old traditions like you list here are still alive even after the age of sail is long over.
That Cheems & Pepe skit was hilarious. Anecdotes on unlucky sailing days? Nope. Not a single one. Got a ton about unlucky living days but no drydock would even dare touch the stuff. Have a great weekend, mate.
"Inauspicious" comes to mind. And uh, non-English speaking sailors are even more superstitious. Greenhorn for pennies on a cargo vessel and you'll know
So idk if this counts, funny story though my grandparents own a 50ft bay liner, and we set out on a Friday to sail from Massachusetts to Florida. My grandpa was army and rly had a thing against the navy so he didn’t follow the superstition thing. We left early Friday, 15 minutes in to the trip, he decided we should check the dingy we used as a life raft, so we drop anchor and set out in the dingy for a few minutes me and him, it inflated fine and once we got out about 100 or so feet it popped, apparently a piece of debris poked the front. So yeah we are both superstitious now.
Your CO who ate The Herring? That is one of the most BADASS things I’ve ever heard a CO doing. Sounds like a Hell of Leader. Regardless, Great Video as usual, Dude.
Very USCG. The old salts packed their own lunches for rough sailing days, and generously shared their anchovy, peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches with the green-faced newies.
My older sister by 8 years is weirdly superstitious. She's afraid of Fridays just in general and got into sailing and water-based myths in middle school for... some reason? My dad let me take the controls in our sportsboat on the lake on a Friday when I was four or five and my sister lost her mind. I was accelerating very slowly like I was told and my dad had his hand hovering over the wheel, we were all in our vests, but she was convinced we were all going to DIE b/c it was Friday. 🤣
CO: Right, we have triple checked for any cursed or unlucky days. We've sacrificed chickens, bitten the head of a herring and prayed to Odin. Lets cast off. XO: Sir, one last problem. The ice making machine has broken down in the First Class dining room. CO: Forget it. Those silver tails can live without cold drinks. And I dont know of any ice god curse. XO: Aye sir. I'll the Harbour master know RMS Titanic is ready to sail. Jötnar: Grrrrrrr...
I can't help but think that some of these arose from a ship sinking, then people making guesses as to why. "It launched on a Friday, then sank. It sailed every other day just fine. What could be wrong with a Friday? Oh, right, Good Friday occurs on a Friday."
Bad luck starts. The first thing that came to mind was the start of the mission of the William D. Porter. That didn't start off too well, and look what happened to them
Sacrificing this comment to the RU-vid gods so that you may be more noticed by the algorithm (Also, that skit was pretty funny, and I wouldn't mind seeing more stuff like that).
I think I've only been on a boat once, the ferry from CA to Catalina island many many years ago. Fine on the trip out. Deathly seasick on the return. So I guess any return journey would be subconsciously bad luck to me. Good thing that Catalina is nowhere near the Equator.
Silly as it is, I freaking love that even in today's modern world, informed by science, there are still people who will give these offerings to the Sea God. 🤣
