Friday, 9th May 2008 (240 views)

A solid gold coin has been used in a traditional maritime ceremony to bestow good luck and safe travel upon a new cruise ship, according to reports.

Website boarding.no states that the coin was sealed in the central section of the MSC Magnifica on behalf of its operating company, Italian firm MSC Cruises.

The coin bears the coat-of-arms of the city of Venice, demonstrating the company's long-standing links with the area. The reverse depicts the "rose of the winds", the traditional maritime compass, along with the MSC logo.

It was joined by another coin from the shipyard that built the vessel, Aker Yards France.

Both were sealed in the ship in the presence of MSC chief executive Pierfrancesco Vago and Jacques Hardelay, the managing director of Aker Yards France.

Coin ceremonies are traditionally carried out at shipyards to bless a ship with good fortune on its voyages.

The MSC Magnifica, which has capacity for 3,779 passengers, is scheduled to join the MSC fleet as an operational vessel in spring 2010.

 

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