What is a Navy Plankowner?

A “plank owner” is an individual who was a member of the crew of a ship when that ship was placed in commission. Originally, this term applied only to crewmembers present at the ship’s first commissioning. “Plank owner” is not an official Navy term, and has consequently been variously defined by different Navy units.

Is plank owner one word?

A plankowner (also referred to a plank owner and sometimes a plank holder) is an individual who was a member of the crew of a United States Navy ship or United States Coast Guard Cutter when that ship was placed in commission.

Where does the term plank owner come from?

Plank owner is the term given to a member of the ship’s original crew. The name stems from tradition that the original crew would receive wooden deck planking as part of the vessel decommissioning process. Today, while decks may not be wooden, crews still hold the title of plank owner in high esteem.

What is a blue nose certificate?

A Bluenose, sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Rednose, is simply a sailor who’s crossed the Arctic Circle, above 66°34′N. Just like crossing the equator, there’s a Line-crossing ceremony, and once you’re done, congratulations, you’re a certified Bluenose.

What is the difference between a Shellback and a Golden Shellback?

Shellback variations. The shellback is simple enough: a sailor on official duty “crosses the line” of the equator. A golden shellback is more impressive; it means they’ve crossed at or near the International Date Line.

What happens when you cross the equator?

THE SHELLBACK CEREMONY When a ship crosses the equator or “crossing the line”, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that they are only posing as Sailors and haven’t paid proper homage to the god of the sea.

What happens when you sail across the equator?

When a ship crosses the equator, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that they are only posing as sailors and haven’t paid proper homage to the god of the sea. For instance, the ship’s captain might play the part of King Neptune himself.

Can you live on the equator?

The equator itself crosses the land or territorial waters of 14 countries. If you live on the equator you will experience the quickest rates of sunrise and sunset in the world, taking a matter of minutes. While temperatures at the equator are very high, there is one single point on the equator where you’ll find snow.

Do countries on the equator have seasons?

Twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun passes directly over the Equator. Even during the rest of the year, equatorial regions often experience a hot climate with little seasonal variation. As a result, many equatorial cultures recognize two seasons—wet and dry.

Can a Marine be a Shellback?

Crossing the equatorial line and transforming from pollywog to Shellback has been a tradition found not just in the US Navy but also the US Marine Corps. This Shellback Ancient Order of the Deep Coin was designed for the Marines or sailors that have accomplished this endeavor.

What’s the difference between a Shellback and a Golden Shellback?

The shellback is simple enough: a sailor on official duty “crosses the line” of the equator. A golden shellback is more impressive; it means they’ve crossed at or near the International Date Line. Even rarer, crossing at the Prime Meridian grants you access into the Order of the Emerald Shellback.