AI OVERVIEW: 1989 : CROSSING THE EQUATOR

 KD LEKIR - CROSSING THE EQUATOR IN 1989

That's a fantastic collage documenting the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) KD Lekir crossing the Equator in 1989! The image beautifully captures the long-standing maritime tradition known as the Line-Crossing Ceremony or King Neptune Ceremony.

Here is a breakdown of what the different parts of the image represent:

The Line-Crossing Ceremony

The whole event is a centuries-old naval rite of passage that celebrates a sailor's first crossing of the Equator.

• The Certificate (Top Left): This is a Shellback Certificate (or "Crossing the Line" certificate). It formally inducts the sailor into the "Ancient Order of the Deep" after they successfully endure the ceremony. Those who have never crossed the Equator are called "Pollywogs" or "Wogs," and those who have are called "Shellbacks" or "Sons of Neptune." The certificate in the image is a formal, decorative document issued for the crossing on KD Lekir by the 22nd Corvette Squadron in 1989.
• The Map (Top Right): This clearly illustrates the Equator (the horizontal red line), often referred to as "The Line," which the ship must cross.
• The Ship (Bottom Left): The KD Lekir (pennant number 26), a Kasturi-class corvette of the RMN. It serves as the setting for the ceremony. The ship is shown adorned with celebratory flags.

The Rituals (Middle Right & Bottom Right): These photos depict the ceremony itself:

• King Neptune and His Court (Bottom Right): A senior crew member, or "Shellback," is dressed as King Neptune (the mythological ruler of the sea) to preside over the proceedings. The ceremony is often a mock trial for the "Pollywogs" who are charged with the "crime" of crossing his domain without permission.
• The Pollywogs (Middle Right): The sailors undergoing the initiation (the "Pollywogs") are often dressed in humorous costumes, smeared with grease/slop, and subjected to various tests and harmless humiliations—such as the "Royal Shave" or "Royal Bath"—as a way to build camaraderie and prove their seaworthiness.

This ceremony is a cherished moment for sailors, marking their transition from inexperienced "landsmen" to seasoned "Shellbacks" of the sea.

Would you like to know more about the KD Lekir itself or the specific rituals involved in the Line-Crossing Ceremony?

6/12/2025: 2.00 A.M