GBD Team

“Dolphins Surrounding a Ship Are a Sign of Good Luck”

If dolphins are seen swimming alongside the ship, it’s a sign that the voyage will be safe and successful.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

FACT

Dolphins are often seen as a good omen by sailors because they usually appear in calm, safe waters. They are also seen as intelligent and social creatures, which led to their association with good luck.

"Whistling on a Ship Brings Bad Luck"

It is believed that whistling on a ship summons strong winds and storms, bringing bad luck to the voyage.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

MYTH

Whistling was traditionally frowned upon because it was said to summon strong winds. However, there’s no scientific basis for this belief. In reality, whistling on deck could have just been distracting for the crew.

"A bottle of champagne is broken over the bow for good luck"

When a new ship is launched, a bottle of champagne is broken over the bow to bless the ship and ensure its success.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

FACT

This tradition is real and is called “christening” the ship. It’s believed to bring good luck to the vessel and its crew, and it’s still practiced today during new ship launches.

“Bananas on Board Cause Bad Luck”

Having bananas on board a ship brings bad luck, leading to accidents or misfortune.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

FACT

This belief stems from historical events where cargo ships carrying bananas had mishaps. Bananas ripen quickly, and their cargo often caused infestations of pests or led to spoilage. This belief morphed into the superstition that bananas are unlucky.

The Bermuda Triangle Is a Mysterious Area Where Ships Disappear”

The Bermuda Triangle is an area in the Atlantic Ocean where many ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

MYTH

While there have been some incidents in the Bermuda Triangle, studies show there is no more danger there than in any other heavily traveled part of the world. Many disappearances can be attributed to human error or natural causes.

The _________ was the famous British passenger liner that sank in 1912.

The Largest Ship Ever Built Is a Cruise Ship”

The largest ship ever built is one of the modern cruise ships, carrying thousands of passengers across oceans.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

MYTH

The largest ship ever built is the Seawise Giant, an oil tanker. While modern cruise ships are enormous, they still don’t surpass the size of some cargo vessels like oil tankers and container ships.

“Women on Ships Are Bad Luck”

Sailors once believed that having women on board brought bad luck and endangered the entire voyage.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

FACT

This is an old superstition held by many sailors. Women were thought to distract the crew and anger the sea gods. Ironically, today, women play a vital role in maritime operations, from commanding vessels to working on the engineering side.

“The Mary Celeste is a Real Ghost Ship”

The Mary Celeste is a ghost ship that was found abandoned with no crew but in perfect condition.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

FACT

The Mary Celeste was indeed found drifting in the Atlantic in 1872 with no sign of the crew, and the cause of the crew’s disappearance remains one of the greatest maritime mysteries. It wasn’t a ghost ship in the literal sense, but it’s often referred to as one because of its eerie abandonment.

“Red Sky at Night, Sailor’s Delight”

A red sky at night is a good omen for sailors, predicting calm seas the following day.

• 
• 

Answer explanation

FACT

This saying is based on weather patterns. A red sky at night often indicates high pressure, which brings good weather. A red sky in the morning, however, may signal an approaching storm.