The 'judge' is on the left; but the Captain's staff (under shelter) are the actual judge & jury.

The 'medical staff' who will 'administer' the punishment.

King Neptune tries to find the right opening speech for the event.

Step 1: the judge announces the Polliwogs' crimes.

Step 4: The 'sentence' is either "bake' in the sun (those on the bench) or 'dump' in the water.

There were lots of polliwogs amongst the staff this time. Everyone kisses the fish

We were just below the equator during the ceremony, but it was a lot of fun just the same.

King Neptune

April 13, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

The King Neptune ceremony is a tradition performed aboard ships when crossing the equator, marking a sailor's first crossing of the line. It involves sailors, often referred to as "Polliwogs" or "Tadpoles" before the crossing, being initiated into the "Realm of Neptune" by a court presided over by King Neptune. The ceremony includes various trials such as being covered in colorful slime, followed by the ritual kissing of the fish, then being 'sentenced' to sit & bake in the slime under the hot sun or being allowed to be 'dunked' in water. Only once the initiates complete this sequence will King Neptune declare them "Shellbacks".Read more