Maritime Feature
BRP Ramon Alcaraz
crosses equator, crew
now certified ‘shellbacks’
MANILA, -- After crossing the
equator Friday (Philippine time),
officers and crewmen of BRP
Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) were
made to undergo the “Line
Crossing Ceremomy”, one of
the most enduring and classical
traditions in the high sea.
22
T
his is also known as the “Crossing the
Equator Ceremony” where “pollywogs”
(officers and crewmen who have yet to cross
the equator) are initiated into the order of
“shellbacks” (mariners who have already
done one or more crossing).
The equator is an imaginary line which divides the
earth into northern and southern hemisphere.
BRP Ramon Alcaraz crossed the equator while on
her way to the Northern Australian Exercise area where
“Kakadu 2014” will be held this Aug. 25 to Sept. 12.
Ensign John Windy Abing, Philippine Navy public
affairs officer for “Kakadu 2014”, said that of the 165
officers and crew members aboard the Filipino frigate,
105 were classified as “pollywogs” as per tradition.
He added he himself was a “pollywog”.
“Tradition has it that all sailors crossing the equator
for the first time should be prepared to appear before
‘King Neptune’, a Roman sea god who, according to