IMPERIVM NEPTVNI REGIS

To all Mariners, Matelots, Sailors and Sea Dogs, Greetings: Whereas upon the 18th day of June, 2011 the good ship HMCS Ottawa did venture within our Royal Domain, crossing the equator at 165 23.8W Longitide; and that among the company was one Master Seaman Lacqui who, being in every way unclean, foul, loathsome and unfit to voyage upon Our Seas, did undergo diverse trials and tribulations and was duly initiatied into the solemn rites of the Ancient Order of the Deeps. Proclaim it through all the waters that having endured these tests and being found worthy, We, Neptunus Rex, by ancient power and right Master of the Oceans, Lord of the Seven Seas and Ruler of the Raging Main, do now admit them to Our Court and number them among Our Trusty Shellbacks from this date forward unto the ending of the world. Therefore do We command all Mermaids, Eels, Nereids, Tritons, Dolphins, Skates, Rays, Sharks, Lobsters, Crabs and all other subjects of Our Watery Realm to give them all honour and respect or suffer Our Royal Wrath. Done by Our Hand and Great Seal at Our Court in the Equatorial Latitudes.

(Signed) Davey Jones, His Majesty’s Scribe (Signed) Neptunus Rex Oceanis

This was the wording on the certificate I received today. It means that I am officially a shellback, a sailor who has crossed the equator while aboard a ship. It also means that I am now in the southern hemisphere, on my way to Australia