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A crew member aboard the Ta\'erner recalled that a similar cuslom was used in
recenl yean 10 cntcnain passengers travclling to the Labrador.
Years ago on lhe old CObol Simi' and those and the Nonia and thc Bar Hawn and
the Springdale· old type, we used to havc Ncptune crossing thc Slrail of Belle
Isle. From Newfoundland to Labrador we used to have Ncptune. And it was a
tradition. We used to have a saloon. a dining area. so we would have all the
peoplc in there aJllocked in behind the doors. Then the Captain generally comes
in. And we would ha"e coming from the gallery doors \\e would have 'eptune
and two helpers all dressed in oilskins. rags. \\hatc\'cr they could find.
They would come on in. And the people an: qui Ie shocked. Thcy don't know what
was going on. They would think they were down for somc son ofship meeting.
And when the)' see three guys running out with oilskins. face all buried in. they
get quite panicky until they realize that it's all onc big joke. And then they go
along with iL They get painted with chocolate. You get onc or two who don't
want to take part. You take the majority of passengers all want to lake. Chocolate.
(C.M. Some people have it done with shoe polish.) I never heard tell ofthat. Crew
members that telllhat. It never happened when I was on the boal. We always did
it with chocolate something that easy 10 wash or comc away. (C.M. Was it done 10
you?) Oh, yes. It was done to me every time we do this eptune bit. (C.M. Why?)
Basically wc like to get one ofthe crew members involved that was serving
passengcrs. Thai way the passengers knew what's going on and it's all fun. So
Ihen thcy don't mind getting it done. Then Ihey practically beg to gct it done.
They want to have pictures ofthe wives gelling painted and the husbands getting
paintcd. Thc wivcs taking piclures whcn it's all done. Somcthing to remember
something Ihm they enjoyed. We try 10 makc the trip quite pleasant for
everybody. (C.M. So this is not done on a night when it is rough crossing the
strait?) No, it's only on calm weather. (C.M. Do yOll wait until yOll arc out a
certain distance?) We wait until night bec