Maritime traditions are the main part of the seafarers ‘ culture. The word ‘tradition’ is usually translated from Latin (‘traditio’) as ‘transmission’or ‘heritage’. Knowing this interpretation, we can suppose that the traditions helped in many ways to systematize life on the ship and support discipline. As an example, it is a long- standing tradition, still in force today, that officers should take a place at the table according to the seniority, according to the rank, of each of them. The senior officer directs the cabin-company and keeps order in the officers’ ranks.
According to a centuries-old tradition, the Maritime Charter States: “The First person in the cabin is the senior assistant commander of the ship, and in his absence – the senior person present in it. In cases where the commander of the ship or his direct superiors are located in the cabin, the first position passes to them”. Observance of traditions taught seamen not only order, but also the ability to honor their seniors, as well as their teammates. The observance of the traditions taught not only the sailors but also the ability to honor the superiors of the people.
For example, on a ship, the right side of the ship was always preferred over the left. (Except for the Portuguese navy) this is due to the fact that Cape Horn and Magellan were first gone around from East to West, that is, the right side. In Portugal, the honorable side is recognized as the left. This is due to the fact that their famous Navigator Vasco de Gama first gone around the Cape of Good Hope, going from West to East, that is, the left side. In addition, there was a tradition of saluting the ship.
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In addition to traditions, there were always various superstitions on the ship. Many believe that the reason for their occurrence is that the sailors have long observed a variety of natural phenomena, many of which did not lend themselves to scientific explanation at the time. For example, in the sea, it was always possible to meet such mysterious natural phenomena as the lights of St. Elmo, hurricane winds, storms , and etc. In connection with this, there were various stories that were able to explain these phenomena. These stories, transmitted from mouth to mouth, each time earned new details and facts, when any storyteller added his own innovation to them. And as a result, the stories were transformed into some ‘sea stories’, where it was difficult to recognize truth from fiction.
Most of these superstitions have been lost , but there are still those that people still follow. For example, in England there is still an opinion that going to sea on Friday, especially on the thirteenth, is completely unimaginable, and should be postponed. All this is due to the fact that it was on this day of the week that Jesus Christ was crucified. At the end of the eighteenth century – this sign was so common that the English government decided to prove its absurdity. It was decided to build a ship called ‘Friday’, which was built and sent to sea, on this day of the week.
But by chance, the ship and its crew disappeared without a trace. But not all countries include to this day of the week as an unlucky day. So, in Portugal and Spain, this day is considered the most favorable for departure. All this is due to the fact that on this day, Christopher Columbus went on his first voyage, during which he discovered America. As for Russia, the disappointing day for launching the ship was considered to be Monday, although the 13th was also not in favor. And even now, some navigators don’t like the ‘damn dozen’ as well as Mondays.
