- Sabine Christiansen, host of a political TV show, with owner Hermann Ebel.
The custom of christening a ship is 300 years old. Originally it was a test of courage for newly hired seamen. They dove from the deck about 15 yards into the ocean – this later evolved into christening, and was adopted by the church in the 18th century; Ships should sail the oceans with God’s protection and blessing.
- Traditional handcraft together with the most modern technology: The SEA CLOUD II was completed after a 36-month construction.
For the SEA CLOUD II the big day came on 6 February 2001 – twelve months later than originally planned, but now with symbolic meaning. Because 70 years earlier her older sister, the legendary SEA CLOUD, was christened at Kiel’s Germania shipyard.
On the day of her christening the SEA CLOUD II stood at the wharf of the Canary harbor city Las Palmas, beautifully polished after a stormy Atlantic crossing. And after an equally turbulent flight godmother Sabine Christiansen arrived on time. The TV host had been owner Hermann Ebel’s first choice – and the journalist and SEA CLOUD enthusiast eagerly agreed.
Introduced by her colleague, longtime news anchorman Wilhelm Wieben, she spoke, “I christen you the ‘SEA CLOUD II’ and wish you and those who sail with you across the world’s oceans, a good trip always and ever six inches of water under your keel” – and with a skillful swing, Sabine Christiansen broke the champagne bottle into a thousand pieces across the ship’s bow.
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