Bob Danelz of Sacramento, CA asks:

I see you were 1 degree North in Singapore. Are you guys shellbacks yet
or are you still pollywogs? Any celebrations?

Jim Leishman responds:

My crewmen, Brian Saunders and Paul Grover, both are shellbacks. I'm embarrassed to say that I personally have never been south of the Equator. Maybe someday!

(NOTE: A shellback refers to a sailor who has crossed over the equator. In old time sailing lore the crossing of the equator signified a major accomplishment and a tradition with untold ceremonies was concocted so that the veterans shellbacks could induct the rookie "pollywogs" into the sacred elite corps of those who had crossed before.)

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