It has been a time-honoured practice, and a common tradition ofthe sea, that as men and women cross the equator for the 1st time,they honour King Neptune as ruler of all the oceans on earth.This practice from days of old, is carried out for seamen onmerchant ships and also crew and passengers on ocean liners. Theritual is as follows.

A seaman who has crossed the equator line on many occasionsdresses as King Neptune with a crown on his head and flowingblue and white robes, representing the ocean, on his back. Heholds a 3-prong triton. Old hands form a double line to KingNeptune through which those people crossing the equator for thefirst time, pass. Each is escorted by an old hand. Each kneels andsincerely pays homage and respect to him as ruler, custodian andguardian of the ocean deep. Each person is anointed with theprayer. "Until the sea gives up its dead you shall faithfully serveand honour the memory of these lost souls. My followersmaintain traditions of the Ocean Sea laid down in centuries past.For they in future will carry out what we do today. Honour, loveand respect all creatures in the sea as well as humans on thisplanet."

Each new arrival crossing the equator is baptised and induced as afollower of King Neptune. New arrivals swear this oath. "I shallfaithfully serve him and lost souls within the deep, respect andhonour and pay homage to the dead, resting there within this greatocean of ours on earth. "

After all have been baptised a major feast is held as a mark ofrespect. Each seaman and passenger is issued a Certificate statinghe or she has crossed the great equator and now is a follower ofKing Neptune, Ruler and Keeper of all the earth's oceans.