To kick off the summer season, many clubs take a leaf out of history’s book for their annual commissioning ceremonies.
Ship commissioning dates back to the ancient world, when dignitaries in ancient Greece would wear olive wreaths, drink wine in honor of the gods, and pour water on new vessels as symbols of blessing.
In more modern times, naval fleets assembled for ceremonies where officers read commissioning directives and raised pennants for new commands. In recent years, naval commissionings remain formal ceremonies, with addresses and guests gathering to celebrate new officers.
There were no olive wreaths at Pequot Junior Yacht Club’s commissioning ceremony, but there was plenty of pomp and circumstance to go around as members met in late June to mark the official opening of the summer season.
The junior flag officers are elected by their peers at the final awards night in the prior summer. They then assume leadership roles in the junior program for the following year. The PJYC officers officiate the commissioning ceremony, attended by sailors, club members, and senior flag officers.
Bridget Clarke, this year’s Junior Fleet Captain, commented on the ceremony.
“I felt privileged to wish luck to all the sailors in the audience. Now I realize that the commissioning is not only the chance to reunite with past summer friends, but also the chance to be positive for the upcoming season. Beginning the sailing program with a content attitude will only benefit our time as junior sailors,” said Clarke.
For Clarke, and many others at Pequot, club traditions such as these play an important role in having memorable and successful summer seasons.
“In every Pequot commissioning, we will remember our past summer memories and focus on creating new ones," she said.
Pequot's junior sailing program chair, Tim Clarke, said the commissioning ceremony "allowed us to point out some of the awards that Pequot sailors had won over the winter or past years. This included the Everett Morris, the Clinton Bell, and the Thomas Fowler. So it was a nice way to showcase the JSA of LIS tradition in the context of the Pequot tradition."
Images: Top - PYC sailors and families, Bottom - Junior Flag Officers at PJYC, L-R: Nathan Arndt, Vice Commodore; Bridget Clarke, Fleet Captain; Karl Forst, Mentor Leader; David Watkins, Commodore. Photographs courtesy of Tim Clarke.
