The Ceremonial Bell of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club - Honoring Leadership and Tradition

Located just beneath the Gallery of Commodores' Portraits on the Main Floor, the Ceremonial Bell holds deep symbolic significance within the life of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. The bell is inscribed with the names of each past Commodore, marking the legacy of leadership that has guided the Club since its founding.

There are two ceremonial bells, each a historical artifact in its own right. Together, they represent the continuity of service, stewardship, and tradition that defines the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Their inscriptions chronicle decades of dedication by volunteer leaders who shaped the Club’s course through periods of growth, change, and renewal.

The bell plays a central role in the Club’s most important annual ritual—the Change of Watch. At this formal event, held to install the incoming Commodore and Board of Directors, the outgoing Commodore rings the bell to ceremonially call the membership to meet by the Wall of the Commodores to unveil his/her portrait. The sound of the bell signals transition, respect for the past, and optimism for the future.

More than just a nautical tradition, the bell embodies the shared commitment of the Club’s leadership and membership to uphold the values of seamanship, camaraderie, and community spirit. Its presence beneath the portraits of those who served reminds all members—past, present, and future—that leadership is both an honor and a responsibility.