Dreamcatcher

Since time immemorial man has sailed the waterways, seas and oceans of this planet.

From the humblest of coracles and canoes to mighty ocean going liners and tankers, plying their trade and carrying cargoes around the world.

One thing that they all have in common is the carefully considered names applied to them by their proud owners.

Traditionally girls’ names were often given to leisure craft, while fishermen, wanting good fortune and safe passage, would perhaps name their boats after saints.

Viking leaders were proud of their sleek swift and fearsome warships. Known as Dragon Ships or Long Boats they gave them such names as Lion of the Waves, Reindeer of the Breeze, Short Serpent or Long Serpent.

This showed their pride and something of their aspirations and perhaps even their personalities in the names given to their boats and ships.

Today those dreams and aspirations are still there for some people. Look at the romance in the name of the boat in the opening picture, above; beautifully summed up by its surroundings.

Although there is nothing traditional about the name in the following picture, it again evokes a romantic notion.

One More Hug

One person’s interpretation of “romantic”, however, is not the same as another’s.

Perhaps the following examples are just another variation of “One More Hug”?

However some still carry those old ideals. How much more “Viking” could this be:

perhaps evoking thoughts of it transporting ambrosia “the food of the gods” around the world?

Or how about these, which appear to tell you exactly what they must be carrying?

Happy Hooker

Some names are just plain sweet, and others, about the family.

Some names carry the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the owners.

The owner of the following boat must have had many nights excitedly dreaming of owning their own boat and being out there in the sea and the spray.

Perhaps like the next, picturing themselves stormily buffeted up and down in the waves.

How many lonely hours must the fisherman below have spent at sea practising and practicing until they had perfected their technique with their tackle enough to proudly name their boat?

Master Baiter

“Geeks” need not despair for they too can own boats, and some obviously do.

Millennium Falcon

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There are also some who may think of themselves as a

The “Peter Pans” of this world, those little boys who have never quite grown up, also proudly like to display their prowess to the world.

Some of these are just looking to be pulled over by the Coastguard.

Some are just begging for questions.

Some are just odd.

(The last name actually comes from a boat in Gerald Durrell’s book “My Family and Other Animals.”) Okay, let’s try and break it down to understand it. Bootle is the name of an area on Merseyside near the port of Liverpool and …………..

Some are just clearly wrong.

And finally it would be interesting to meet the owners and ask questions:

“Do you have a full grasp of the English language?”

“How was the planetary relationship explained to you in relation to your business?”

“Would you take advice from this person again?”

I know times are hard and it may reflect the economic climate but……

Image sources:

Last picture from StrangeVehicles.com

All others are from Flickr.

More humour by this author:

More High Jinks on the High Seas

Saucy Seaside Postcards

Amazing Discovery: Answers to the Secrets of Life Uncovered in Postcards

10 Offbeat, Bizarre and Wacky Facts

Five Mysteries and Surprises in Everyday Domestic Routines