When is a Captain not a Captain?

[Cotemar]

Keep in mind that being a Captain on any boat, always has a HUGE liability attached to it.

99.999% of boat accident reports show that the Captains behavior was the cause of the accident.

Maybe I should take the name of Deck POOP or Sheet Head, as that is what I will be if I ever end up in the morning newspaper.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by Cap Erict3

Having dealt with a multitude of captains on vessels large and small, I find the idea that owning up the position is somehow pretentious absolutely ludicrous. The captain is the one in charge.

It is the proper title for a position of responsibility.

If you want to argue a point differentiate between sperm donor and father.

Love the analogy!!!

I feel on board when under way at that moment you are the Captain of the vessel. Once at dock though you are just some fool with a expensive hole in the water.

(with that saidI don't like the term skipper or Captain, just seems awkward to me. If anyone asks I usually just say owner)

[Pelagic]

There is one point that unlicensed captains of pleasure vessels should keep in mind.

In the court's you are held to a much lower standard of seamanship than a professional and licensed captain.

So while you may be admonished for your reckless action that precipitated the collision, the professional may loose his license and career.
To me....that never seemed fair!

[Mark1977]

Who cares what people call themsevles. When I am in comand of a fishing vessel and an official asks "who's the captain?" I always reply .."I am the one running the boat"
Not captain or skipper , just a guy who runs the boat.

[Factor]

In QLD (Aus) its master -see Transport Operations Marine Safety Act) The legislation doesn't include the term Captain.

having said that, any ships that I need to call on the VHF I always refer to as Captain.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

There is one point that unlicensed captains of pleasure vessels should keep in mind.

In the court's you are held to a much lower standard of seamanship than a professional and licensed captain.

So while you may be admonished for your reckless action that precipitated the collision, the professional may loose his license and career.
To me....that never seemed fair!

This is exactly why I tell many cruisers that your much better off not having a Captains License.

A person with a Captains License is held to a much higher standard and if they do not follow the rules, they can loose that Captains License real fast.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Factor

having said that, any ships that I need to call on the VHF I always refer to as Captain.

Being ex-Navy I keep it simple.. as I could be talking to the Captain.. or the 3rd mate.. no way of knowing so I just say 'Sir'..

[weavis]

Its all inverted snobbery along the way. A Doctor is called Doctor until he becomes a surgeon, then becomes a Mr. However the term Doctor is an honourary one because it primarliy refers to Doctorate holders!

Ex military that I am, and attaining the rank of Captain, I ditched the title as soon as I ditched the military. It doesnt even enter my consciousness. Living in Florida, all the 6 packers "sell" themselves as a "captain" of their vessel.

My yacht club (and most of them) have a "Commodore" and other ranks. Go figure.

In the USA, it is common to be refered to as Captain.. In the U.K. its more like "who is the w**ker in charge here?"

I understand boaties self deprecation regarding the title because its a long way from the ranking system of the navy or the listing of professional civilian maritime sailors.

On the other hand, women love a man in uniform, or failing that, a rank

[Gaspee]

I used to photograph church directories (yearbooks for churches.) What I always found interesting was that most men who had earned titles such as Doctor, Admiral, Reverend, etc. left off the title when giving their name for the family photo. It was the wife who insisted it be included.

[crazyoldboatguy]

In private, the Admiral refers to me as the PIC - Pissant In Charge.

[a64pilot]

Skipper is a dogs name

[denverd0n]

I hear "skipper" and there's only one thing I can think of...

[Dennis.G]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

In the court's you are held to a much lower standard of seamanship than a professional and licensed captain.

This "fact" is often heard, but I suspect is an exaggeration of reality.

The COLREGS do not change depending on if you have a license or not.

Negligence might be a grey area and seen differently depending if licensed or not. Maybe.

On the flip side, testimony can hold more credence from a person who has proven qualifications in the field. This could end up as advantage.

I think one concern, and it differs state-to-state in USA, is the application of "Good Samaritan" laws that protect rescuers in emergency situations. Being a licensed person might exempt you from protection (although just having a license does not make you a professional which is the more usual exemption).

My insurance company said a license could be a small discount, but no addition to premium. If license really increased liability, I am certain the insurance company would reflect that by increasing premiums instead for a boat owner with license.

Of course if licensed and operating a charter business or some such professional operation, your liabilities are increased, just as with any business. Not really a function of having a license, but a result of running a business.

[dannc]

Originally Posted by crazyoldboatguy

In private, the Admiral refers to me as the PIC - Pissant In Charge.

Just hope she does not start calling you the Pissant Recently In Charge....



Later,
Dan

[Jim Cate]

Hmmm...

To me, this sums it up:

When an official, or the person on the other end of a radio contact calls me "captain", I take it as merely a polite means of address.

When someone who needs to know asks "who is the captain (meaning in charge of the vessel) here", I admit to the title if I am indeed in charge.

But if I were to refer to myself in a social situation as "Captain Jim", I would risk being a pretentious *******. So I don't do that! This does not preclude being a P.A. in some other way...

Cheers,

Jim (no rank claimed)