Names knot to be taken seriously
I have an alternative take on Charles Warlow’s article ‘What’s in a name?’ (PBO July 2018) – In my view there’s nothing worse than a killjoy!
For working vessels, the name is important for many reasons; in particular to designate their fleet, ownership and purpose. But for leisure craft, it is an opportunity to express the pride and joy of having a boat, an escape route from the daily chores and pressures of work.
I’ve enjoyed many an hour walking past boats in marinas and raising a smirk to a carefully crafted name. I have spent many an hour chewing over ideas when I have changed my boat and enjoyed the extremely positive feedback when I get it right.
My current boat knot@work again!, after its predecessor knot@work has had regular extremely positive approval from fellow boaters in many marinas (including a kid who wandered by and said “Dad - I want to call my boat that when I get one”).
And as to having a clear name for communication with the coastguard – is that not what the Callsign and MMSI are for?
I’ve got one of each, so what’s the problem?
Let the fun with names continue; unless you want to drive a coastal freighter every day, or enjoy saying “Bah! Humbug” when you encounter a vessel with a personal or jocular name. Kenny Hopkins Portavadie, Scotland