"Crossing the LIne" & Navigational Event Honors
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“crossing the LINE”
&
NAVIGATIONAL EVENT honors
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A line-crossing ceremony, commonly known as Crossing the Line, is a maritime tradition dating back centuries that initiates mariners into the "Order of the Deep" upon their first equator crossing. Those fortunate enough to who have already crossed the equator are called Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. Those who have not yet had this honor are known as Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs (often shortened to Slimy Wogs).
The Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps all have time-honored line-crossing ceremonies. Pollywogs must brave unusual, hilarious, often messy chores at the hands of Shellbacks and a senior crewmember portraying King Neptune. This morale-enhancing rite of passage transforms these crewmembers into experienced and esteemed mariners. Though historically cruel and humiliating, modern line-crossing ceremonies are strictly voluntary, fun, and strongly centered around team-building and camaraderie. Upon completion, the mariner is now considered a Trusty Shellback and receives a certificate.
Over the years, many variations and additions to line-crossing ceremonies have been established to commemorate unique navigational events on waterways around the world. Some examples include the
Star Spangled Shellback, the Order of the Blue Nose, Magellan’s Straight Jacket Club, Persian Excursion,
the Order of the Lakes, the Order of Mariners of the Desert, the Order of the Black Hulls, and Plank Owner.
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Order of the Black Hulls
(Personnel who have served
on black-hulled vessels)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
The Order of the Great Lakes
(Personnel who have sailed the Great Lakes)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Order of the Leadsman
Riverman of the USCG River Fleet
(Personnel who measured the depth of water using a weighted line called a “lead line”)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Order of the Leadsman
Aids To Navigation Team Eufaula
(Personnel who measured the depth of water using a weighted line called a “lead line”)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Order of the Leadsman
Riverman of the USCG River Fleet
(Personnel who measured the depth of water
using a weighted line called a “lead line”)
(2” diameter x 1/4” thick)
Order of the Golden Dragon
(Personnel who have crossed the
International Date Line)
Domain of the Golden Dragon
(Personnel who have crossed the
International Date Line)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
The Order of the Ditch
(Personnel who have passed through
the Panama Canal)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Realm of the Arctic Circle
Brine-Encrusted Blue Nose
(Personnel who have crossed the Arctic Circle)
(Version 1)
Realm of the Arctic Circle
Brine-Encrusted Blue Nose
(Personnel who have crossed the Arctic Circle)
(Version 2)
Order of the Blue Nose
Realm of the Arctic Circle
(Personnel who have crossed the Arctic Circle)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Domain of the Antarctic Red Nose
(Personnel who have crossed the Antarctic Circle)
(Serial #077)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Order of the Red Nose
Royal Domain of the Emperor Penguin
(Personnel who have crossed the Antarctic Circle)
Order of the Spanish Main
(Personnel who have sailed in the Caribbean)
(Serial #018)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Order of the Spanish Main
(Personnel who have sailed in the Caribbean)
Persian Excursion
(Personnel who have served in the Persian Gulf)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Emerald Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
at the prime meridian)
(Heavy 4-1/2” W x 3-1/8” H x 1/4” thick)
Ancient Order of the Deep Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
for the first time)
(Heavy 4” W x 2-1/2” H x 1/4” thick)
Ancient Order of the Golden Shellbacks
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
at the 180th meridian)
(Heavy 3-1/8” diameter x 1/4” thick)
Ancient Order of the Deep Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
for the first time)
Ancient Order of the Deep Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
for the first time)
Ancient Order of the Deep
Trusty Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
for the first time)
Ancient Order of the Deep
Trusty Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
for the first time)
(Version 1)
Ancient Order of the Deep
Trusty Shellback
(Personnel who have crossed the equator
for the first time)
(Version 2)
Order of the Rock
(Personnel who have transited the Strait of Gibraltar
for the first time)
