Rick over at Old Salt blog pointed me toward this story.  As to the foto below, I quote from The Hindu of  1/26/2011:  “Letha Sushil, wife of Vice-Admiral K.N. Sushil, Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, ceremoniously launched the ship on Tuesday.”  The event is the launch of the newbuild barque INS Sudarthshini at Goa Shipbuilding.    My question is:  What is Letha Sushil holding about to smash and fizz against the hull?

Below is a foto of what might be the newest tugboat in the sixth boro, Crystal Cutler.  A year ago, some of this vessel was just steel plate awaiting the magic of assembling, welding, and paint.   More Crystal fotos soon.

On the far side of Nord Integrity is another of the more recent arrivals in the harbor, Quantico Creek.  I had been hoping to get to her

launch last March.  See it here.  It looks like Capt Log on this side of the tanker.

Here is more of the foto of INS Sudarthshini’s christening.  Tugster covered a sixth boro christening two-and-a-half years ago here.  In the US ship christenings often involve alcohol and bottles;  in India, a coconut is smashed against the bow, as you see in the top foto.  Click here for the Flickr photostream of Independence Seaport Museum, showing women, breaking glass, and spilled alcohol.

Click here for more info on ship christening traditions, including spilling oil (bitumen), blood, and crafting axes.   I wonder what was involved in the Crystal Cutler and Quantico Creek ceremonies.

Three middle fotos by Will Van Dorp, who in 2011 must christen and launch his kayak AND who would suggestions on christening it.  If you’ve built a kayak and want to send in fotos, I’m planning a kayak post in mid-February.

And while I’m out taking fotos from the internet, check out the unnamed Yangtze River tour vessel below that redefines the term “figurehead.”