A celebration to rename and bless our new motor vessel, Lucy Mary, took place today, July 8th, at Oban Bay pontoons in the company of family and friends . Renaming and blessing a vessel is a serious and important occasion and involves a ceremony to appease the Gods of the Winds to ensure MV Lucy Mary of fair winds and smooth seas during her forthcoming journeys in the Hebrides.
MV Lucy Mary is named after CEO Rob Barlow’s granddaughter and Shore Manager Emma Fairbairns daughter, Lucy Mary. The ceremony commenced with Rob and Lucy on the ship's prow, with ceremony facilitator Fiona Dickie, while friends and family members watched below. As tradition dictates, the vessel was to be christened with a liquid and 12-year-old-Lucy chose her favourite soft drink, Scottish Bon Accord’s Cloudy Lemonade.
Fiona Dickie led the ceremony by calling to the Gods of the Winds
“Oh mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel Lucy Mary the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs”
Fiona then called upon Rob and Lucy to face North to appease Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind and to fling a generous splash of liquid North. Father and daughter then faced West to appease Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind with another good quantity of the lemonade flung West. Facing East, Rob and Lucy tossed a liberal amount of the christening liquid to appease Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind and then finally Rob and Lucy faced South and with great enthusiasm tossed more christening liquid South to appease Great Noxus exalted ruler of the South Wind.
Rob and Lucy finished the ceremony by pouring the remaining Cloudy Lemonade over the bow of the vessel while together they said “I christen thee Lucy Mary”. Everyone below cheered and raised a glass to welcome the new vessel to the Hebrides Cruises fleet, satisfied that the Gods of the Winds were properly appeased. Family member 13-year-old Evie Fairbairns played the bagpipes as a signal to everyone to follow her back on board to continue with the celebrations.
MV Lucy Mary set out on her first cruise with guests on Sunday July 9th to Mull, Iona, Staffa and Treshnish isles
We have just returned from a cruise on the Emma Jane.It was excellent.The crew were fabulous.Nothing was too much trouble. Rob was a great captain ,keeping us safe and accommodating our wishes.What a nice guy.Zoe was our wildlife expert and guide ,so enthusiastic ,friendly and knowledgable. Nicola was our chef,her cooking was amazing.Every meal was fantastic .She catered for one of our number who is gluten free and for myself as I do not eat red meat. She always provided us with alternatives and little extras.In addition ,she is a lovely person. Finally there was Sofia ,our steward ,what a lovely young woman .She was very efficient and nothing was too much trouble. We visited 5 islands ,we saw loads of wildlife and we were generally lucky with the weather.I would highly recommend the company .My only advisory note would be that if you are tall ,Cabin 2 ,with beds at right angles would not be the best choice.
Carol Nicholls: 1 June 2024Private Charter 6 Nights