If you thought ship’s names were all serious business, think again. In the box alongside are a few names that undeniably show a humorous bent.
Who really decides what to call their ships? Often private owners will themselves decide, tending to choose names of family members, generally starting with names of grandparents. Then on to the younger lot.
One company ran out of family members’ names, and then moved on to naming their ships after their many house-helps. Even long serving devoted employees have found their names emblazoned on a ship’s stern.
Larger companies may form a committee to decide on names under the guidance of the owners. Rivers, ports, cities, and trading nations are their favourite.
Ship names may often carry a prefix denoting the name of the owning carrier. Such examples are many among the top box carriers where brand equity is a big governing factor.
Companies under Government control may be guided by national or political interests. That’s where names of historical figures, freedom fighters, and national heroes figure on the ship’s bows.
Some vessel names can be just two alphabets, especially Chinese ones, and others long enough to stretch past the length of the 1st hatch, usually Indian and Russian.
Whichever name be chosen for a vessel, it has to be cleared by the port of registry as being unique to their register. That’s the reason finding a suitable name demands constant creativity, leading to some very funny choices.
Personally, the one that really gets me is the ‘Hakuna Matata’!
Marex Media

Box 1
The Author – Kamal Chadha (photo and details you have)

BOX 2
Ship & Boat names sure to tickle your funny bone
Usain Boat
Titan Uranus
Water You Lookin’ At?
The Codfather
Nacho Boat
Cirrhosis of the River
Feelin’ Nauti
Aquaholic
Yeah Buoy
Knot on Call
Hydro Therapy
Pier Pressure
Fishful Thinkin’
Sea Señor