The line-crossing ceremony, also known as Crossing the Line, is an initiation rite in some English-speaking countries that commemorates a person's first crossing of the equator. #everyonefollowers | Manginsay L Allan

The ‘crossing the line’ ceremony is one of the oldest traditions in the Royal Navy and takes place when a vessel crosses the equator. As part of the tradition crew members who have not previously ‘crossed the line’ must pay homage to King Neptune and his 'royal court'. Donning elaborate costumes, the crew of HMS Belfast can be seen here participating in the ceremony on return to Singapore from Australia, 24 September 1961. The M.A.A (Master-at-Arms) Ken Etheridge is pictured in seaweed rags dres