Captain Alone
After running aground, Freaking out! I now have difficulty finding a crew. SAILINg ALONE now!!!LOL
After running aground, Freaking out! I now have difficulty finding a crew. SAILINg ALONE now!!!LOL
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Authority vs. responsibility
To paraphase from Dana in Two Years Before the Mast "The captain in the first place is lord paramount...and is accountable to no one, and must be obeyed in everything, without question... As captain you can NOT delegate the ultimate responsibility of command - from a day sailor to a tall ship - someone has to command. And he or SHE must command well with a strong , stable , air of authority. That is not to say you can out your responsibility as Captain with tact, etc. That said - when a float in my own vessel - I command - and sometimes with out the tact required. Lord paramount NO - but in command yes - and if you do not carry out a command - with a hardy aye - aye I will let you know it , sometimes very pointedly.
To paraphase from Dana in Two Years Before the Mast "The captain in the first place is lord paramount...and is accountable to no one, and must be obeyed in everything, without question... As captain you can NOT delegate the ultimate responsibility of command - from a day sailor to a tall ship - someone has to command. And he or SHE must command well with a strong , stable , air of authority. That is not to say you can out your responsibility as Captain with tact, etc. That said - when a float in my own vessel - I command - and sometimes with out the tact required. Lord paramount NO - but in command yes - and if you do not carry out a command - with a hardy aye - aye I will let you know it , sometimes very pointedly.
Control Youself
As a Navy Commander, I learned that "Cool" is the only way to be. Issue commands quietly but firmly. YOU are in command, it's YOUR responsibility, and if you screw up, it"s YOUR neck on the line. YOU are the captain, YOU make the decisions (For better or worse) and YOU will take the rap if anything goes wrong. Don't subrogate YOUR responsibility, and upset wife or daughter, in moments of stress, they should follow your orders without question. Just remember, YOU are the captain, and anything that goes wrong it is absolutely, and without question, YOUR fault.
As a Navy Commander, I learned that "Cool" is the only way to be. Issue commands quietly but firmly. YOU are in command, it's YOUR responsibility, and if you screw up, it"s YOUR neck on the line. YOU are the captain, YOU make the decisions (For better or worse) and YOU will take the rap if anything goes wrong. Don't subrogate YOUR responsibility, and upset wife or daughter, in moments of stress, they should follow your orders without question. Just remember, YOU are the captain, and anything that goes wrong it is absolutely, and without question, YOUR fault.
This fits an amusing story of mine
This topic sort-of fits a funny story about a guy I use to crew for. A while back I use to race on a boat and the captain was an interesting person. The best way to describe him is that if he had an obnoxious bone in his body he would be dead by now. We were at a big mid-summer, three day race. The first night after the race we were at the social gathering. The captain of the boat I was on got really intoxicated. He climbed one of the tent poles of the big tents at the party. When he got down he took about five steps and passed out. Being the well-meaning crew we drug him back to the boat. We had him at the dock when we realized that we needed to take his contacts out (this was back in the day of hard contacts and long before I started wearing contacts). We didn't know how to get them out but we figured that he would be suffering tomorrow if we didn't take them out. We decided to put him on his hands and knees and lean him over a newspaper. Picture this.....Two guys holding the captain steady on each side, one guy holding his head up and tapping the back of his head with the heel of his hand. The taps seemed to get a little harder as time went on. It took about 30 minutes to remove the captain's contacts. We then put him in the V-birth to let him sleep it off. The next morning he woke up and the first thing out of his mouth was "What a night last night....I feel like someone beat me over the head for 1/2 an hour! We never told him anything!!!!
This topic sort-of fits a funny story about a guy I use to crew for. A while back I use to race on a boat and the captain was an interesting person. The best way to describe him is that if he had an obnoxious bone in his body he would be dead by now. We were at a big mid-summer, three day race. The first night after the race we were at the social gathering. The captain of the boat I was on got really intoxicated. He climbed one of the tent poles of the big tents at the party. When he got down he took about five steps and passed out. Being the well-meaning crew we drug him back to the boat. We had him at the dock when we realized that we needed to take his contacts out (this was back in the day of hard contacts and long before I started wearing contacts). We didn't know how to get them out but we figured that he would be suffering tomorrow if we didn't take them out. We decided to put him on his hands and knees and lean him over a newspaper. Picture this.....Two guys holding the captain steady on each side, one guy holding his head up and tapping the back of his head with the heel of his hand. The taps seemed to get a little harder as time went on. It took about 30 minutes to remove the captain's contacts. We then put him in the V-birth to let him sleep it off. The next morning he woke up and the first thing out of his mouth was "What a night last night....I feel like someone beat me over the head for 1/2 an hour! We never told him anything!!!!
Humble Jumble
Purty funnnnnny Mr. Bad Obsession, I had to howl on that one, that reminds me... I do indeed applaud Bryan, Moody, Franklin, and Humor does help Fred, especially in intense situations. For 'blue grace'I knew a drill instructor that got knocked unconcious by a skinny tough kid I know. There have been a few great men who were arrogant, Macarther, Caesar, Patton... The very best, and best loved were honest, caring and humble: Gandi, David, Eisenhower, Grant, and Christ. Hunmility is deserving of respect, and it follows it too. If ya start talking about yerself in the third person, well then, ya know thar's sumpin' wrong.
Purty funnnnnny Mr. Bad Obsession, I had to howl on that one, that reminds me... I do indeed applaud Bryan, Moody, Franklin, and Humor does help Fred, especially in intense situations. For 'blue grace'I knew a drill instructor that got knocked unconcious by a skinny tough kid I know. There have been a few great men who were arrogant, Macarther, Caesar, Patton... The very best, and best loved were honest, caring and humble: Gandi, David, Eisenhower, Grant, and Christ. Hunmility is deserving of respect, and it follows it too. If ya start talking about yerself in the third person, well then, ya know thar's sumpin' wrong.
Yelling
Obviously there are a lot of sailors who only sail in calm light winds. Where I sail a lot of the time, if you don't shout, you will never get heard. I suppose the best Captains have a booming voice so that it carries without "yelling" and the rest of us have to shout to be heard. On a boat, for safety, the Captain's orders need to be obeyed - instantly and without question. Is it a question of semantics - "shouting" is to be heard but "yelling" is shouting with frustration and impatience? I think that the difference is in the tone of voice. This discussion has prompted me to think about putting down the most important phrases and terms on a small card and laminate them. Why? So that I can be consistent and explain to new crew (I often take people out who do little or no sailing) what those few key phrases mean. For example Halyard - rope going up the mast Sheet - rope for pulling sail in or letting it out Main - bigger sail behind the mast Jib - smaller sail in front of the mast Port and starboard (my way of helping people remember these is that the shorter words go together and the longer words go together port = left = red starboard = right = green Like most sailors, although I explain things as I go along and largely sail the boat myself, there are times when the crew are either in the way, or nearer to a simple job that needs to be done. Thanks for the thought provoking discussion.
Obviously there are a lot of sailors who only sail in calm light winds. Where I sail a lot of the time, if you don't shout, you will never get heard. I suppose the best Captains have a booming voice so that it carries without "yelling" and the rest of us have to shout to be heard. On a boat, for safety, the Captain's orders need to be obeyed - instantly and without question. Is it a question of semantics - "shouting" is to be heard but "yelling" is shouting with frustration and impatience? I think that the difference is in the tone of voice. This discussion has prompted me to think about putting down the most important phrases and terms on a small card and laminate them. Why? So that I can be consistent and explain to new crew (I often take people out who do little or no sailing) what those few key phrases mean. For example Halyard - rope going up the mast Sheet - rope for pulling sail in or letting it out Main - bigger sail behind the mast Jib - smaller sail in front of the mast Port and starboard (my way of helping people remember these is that the shorter words go together and the longer words go together port = left = red starboard = right = green Like most sailors, although I explain things as I go along and largely sail the boat myself, there are times when the crew are either in the way, or nearer to a simple job that needs to be done. Thanks for the thought provoking discussion.
Skipper sound off
All shipmates, friends, family or other, always shound off my every command. If I call to "tighten the jib", it's that persons job to repeat my command lound and clear so I know they herd me correctly. We have a lot of fun with it, and sometimes exagerate in almost a Sargent Hulka kind of way. thanks.
All shipmates, friends, family or other, always shound off my every command. If I call to "tighten the jib", it's that persons job to repeat my command lound and clear so I know they herd me correctly. We have a lot of fun with it, and sometimes exagerate in almost a Sargent Hulka kind of way. thanks.
Tell My Wife Please 
"On a boat, for safety, the Captain's orders need to be obeyed - instantly and without question." I think I'm going to send this one to my wife. It has been hard for her to follow this principal. Our 21' Venture is small and nobody wants to go sailing with us. Our friends say sailing is too slow and too much work. Because of its size I don't really have to worry about being heard. But I do have to plan ahead. If I call for a course change I have to have enough time to alert her for the course change and have time to answer the "why" that always follows. I've tried letting her be responsible for navigation (no GPS)but we have spent hours sailing in the wrong direction or past where we wanted to go in. So now I'm waiting for delivery of a GPS unit which should at least solve that problem.
"On a boat, for safety, the Captain's orders need to be obeyed - instantly and without question." I think I'm going to send this one to my wife. It has been hard for her to follow this principal. Our 21' Venture is small and nobody wants to go sailing with us. Our friends say sailing is too slow and too much work. Because of its size I don't really have to worry about being heard. But I do have to plan ahead. If I call for a course change I have to have enough time to alert her for the course change and have time to answer the "why" that always follows. I've tried letting her be responsible for navigation (no GPS)but we have spent hours sailing in the wrong direction or past where we wanted to go in. So now I'm waiting for delivery of a GPS unit which should at least solve that problem.
You won't get far by committee
someone has to be in charge, have a plan, and see that things get done. It does not have to be rude, harsh, or brutal, but somebody has to make choices and "give orders". The more people, the more important that becomes. If you are only out for a two hour cruise, it is different from a three week sail. Then, everyone has to pull their weight or else human nature takes over.
someone has to be in charge, have a plan, and see that things get done. It does not have to be rude, harsh, or brutal, but somebody has to make choices and "give orders". The more people, the more important that becomes. If you are only out for a two hour cruise, it is different from a three week sail. Then, everyone has to pull their weight or else human nature takes over.
My favourite captain story
I have raced for several years with one of the best skippers I know. Vic is always calm, cool, never yells, never berates crew, always anticipates and gives clear concise instructions well ahead of time when ever possible. Weekend off-shore races involve about a hour to the course. This is a time for catching up on news from other crew members, swapping stories etc. One of the duties that always takes place at this stage is Vic applying his sunscreen. Being a fairskined guy he has a complete selection in SPF ratings from 8-45 This particular day we had a first time crew member who had never been on a racing sailboat before. Even before we left the dock he had expressed some concerns quietly to some of the regular crew about whether or not he would get yelled at. He had heard that some skippers were pretty hard on crew who didnt perform in the heat of the race so he was quite anxious as to whther this skipper might yell at him. He was assured each time that Vic never yelled at people and he should not be concerned. Just as he had quietly again expressed this concern to some one near to him as we were underway, Vic realized he had not performed the customary application of the highest test sunscreen to his nose. Seeing another crew member below Vic shouts from behind the wheel " Mikey- bring up the 45" the new crew's eyes got real big....
I have raced for several years with one of the best skippers I know. Vic is always calm, cool, never yells, never berates crew, always anticipates and gives clear concise instructions well ahead of time when ever possible. Weekend off-shore races involve about a hour to the course. This is a time for catching up on news from other crew members, swapping stories etc. One of the duties that always takes place at this stage is Vic applying his sunscreen. Being a fairskined guy he has a complete selection in SPF ratings from 8-45 This particular day we had a first time crew member who had never been on a racing sailboat before. Even before we left the dock he had expressed some concerns quietly to some of the regular crew about whether or not he would get yelled at. He had heard that some skippers were pretty hard on crew who didnt perform in the heat of the race so he was quite anxious as to whther this skipper might yell at him. He was assured each time that Vic never yelled at people and he should not be concerned. Just as he had quietly again expressed this concern to some one near to him as we were underway, Vic realized he had not performed the customary application of the highest test sunscreen to his nose. Seeing another crew member below Vic shouts from behind the wheel " Mikey- bring up the 45" the new crew's eyes got real big....
To Ed Collins (Moorings Charter Capt.)
Ed, I have been the bareboar captain on several Moorings multihull charters (BVIs, Canouan, St. Vincent and Martinique, so far). We start every charter (even with the same couples) with a presail briefing dinner about 1 week before the charter. I have a safety checklist with a number of basic items such as buddy-system, don't mess with anything you don't fully understand, etc. I always cover the role of crew and captain. I try to make clear that the captain has to be obeyed without debate unless the order would actually endanger him/self or another. In that case, the crew must indicate the he/she will not perform the task, so the captain can make an alternative course of action. It's nice to pretend that you will never encounter the need for quick action, but that one time that it is required and you haven't been firm or established the trust the firmness brings, the inevitable hesitation could cost someone their life. And the idea that you can "do it all yourself" is foolhardy. If you let people know ahead of time that there isn't time for a discussion, you won't offend anyone when you are firm. You can still be polite, but if you aren't firm, don't be surprised when you really need someone to release a sheet you can't get to, and the time lost might endanger you. It may be true that traditions for their own sake are not worth following. But the traditions that have grown up around the responsibilities and obligations of a captain are rooted in the real and constant dangers that sailing presents. Anyone who wants to treat all this with derision and skepticism, should at least let their passengers know that before they pretend to take responsibility for any vessel they want to captain. All that said, you will have a marvelous time if you are calm, in control and maintain a good sense of humor. I came up with a toast you can use anytime "To competent captains and compliant crews."
Ed, I have been the bareboar captain on several Moorings multihull charters (BVIs, Canouan, St. Vincent and Martinique, so far). We start every charter (even with the same couples) with a presail briefing dinner about 1 week before the charter. I have a safety checklist with a number of basic items such as buddy-system, don't mess with anything you don't fully understand, etc. I always cover the role of crew and captain. I try to make clear that the captain has to be obeyed without debate unless the order would actually endanger him/self or another. In that case, the crew must indicate the he/she will not perform the task, so the captain can make an alternative course of action. It's nice to pretend that you will never encounter the need for quick action, but that one time that it is required and you haven't been firm or established the trust the firmness brings, the inevitable hesitation could cost someone their life. And the idea that you can "do it all yourself" is foolhardy. If you let people know ahead of time that there isn't time for a discussion, you won't offend anyone when you are firm. You can still be polite, but if you aren't firm, don't be surprised when you really need someone to release a sheet you can't get to, and the time lost might endanger you. It may be true that traditions for their own sake are not worth following. But the traditions that have grown up around the responsibilities and obligations of a captain are rooted in the real and constant dangers that sailing presents. Anyone who wants to treat all this with derision and skepticism, should at least let their passengers know that before they pretend to take responsibility for any vessel they want to captain. All that said, you will have a marvelous time if you are calm, in control and maintain a good sense of humor. I came up with a toast you can use anytime "To competent captains and compliant crews."
Don't yll at me!
Some friends of ours (also a sailing couple) gave my wife and I some great swet shirts. One says "Don't Yell at me!" and one says "I am not yelling". The shirts are interchangeable. I clicked on "My way or the high way". I am surprised to be in such a minority. After carefully explaining a docking proceedure including how to cleat the lines, we approached the fuel dock on a windy afternoon. Fenders out and lines ready I again point out that the wind will try to blow the boat away from the dock and getting the lines around cleats will be very important. BOTH my crew had extensive dingy sailing experience, Both hopped off on the dock and proceeded to try to hold the dock lines by hand. Mirage diplaces almost 13,000 lbs and the wind was comming accross her beam at 18 to 20 knots. I left both my crew on the dock and it took me two more tries to make a succesful landing. Now I try to tell both guests, and crew up front. I do not believe in yelling and screaming, and I want everyone to be involved and have fun, but it's MY WAY or the HIGH WAY!
Some friends of ours (also a sailing couple) gave my wife and I some great swet shirts. One says "Don't Yell at me!" and one says "I am not yelling". The shirts are interchangeable. I clicked on "My way or the high way". I am surprised to be in such a minority. After carefully explaining a docking proceedure including how to cleat the lines, we approached the fuel dock on a windy afternoon. Fenders out and lines ready I again point out that the wind will try to blow the boat away from the dock and getting the lines around cleats will be very important. BOTH my crew had extensive dingy sailing experience, Both hopped off on the dock and proceeded to try to hold the dock lines by hand. Mirage diplaces almost 13,000 lbs and the wind was comming accross her beam at 18 to 20 knots. I left both my crew on the dock and it took me two more tries to make a succesful landing. Now I try to tell both guests, and crew up front. I do not believe in yelling and screaming, and I want everyone to be involved and have fun, but it's MY WAY or the HIGH WAY!
3 years
"...And the idea that you can "do it all yourself" is foolhardy... " I've been doing it all myself for 3 years now with no problems. The only assistance I ever ask is to steer once in a while when the auto-pilot starts acting up and when I get a below deck, that problem should be solved. I've even gone up the mast on the water without any help. Some just have the ability to do things without help. Sure, it's sometimes better to have help, but I like not having to depend on anybody so if I can do it myself, I do, just for the practice.
"...And the idea that you can "do it all yourself" is foolhardy... " I've been doing it all myself for 3 years now with no problems. The only assistance I ever ask is to steer once in a while when the auto-pilot starts acting up and when I get a below deck, that problem should be solved. I've even gone up the mast on the water without any help. Some just have the ability to do things without help. Sure, it's sometimes better to have help, but I like not having to depend on anybody so if I can do it myself, I do, just for the practice.
Obedience
Robert, Which marina are you in at Lake Grapevine? I'm in Scott's Landing. "... the captain has to be obeyed without debate ..." This is probably the hardest lesson my wife has learned, but I believe she's finally got it. I keep telling her, she's free to question anything I tell her to do on the boat, but only AFTER she's done it.
Robert, Which marina are you in at Lake Grapevine? I'm in Scott's Landing. "... the captain has to be obeyed without debate ..." This is probably the hardest lesson my wife has learned, but I believe she's finally got it. I keep telling her, she's free to question anything I tell her to do on the boat, but only AFTER she's done it.
To Robert - Lake Grapevine, TX -Bareboat Charterer
Robert, Thanks for the excellent advice. I will have that pre sail meeting but it will happen on the morning before departure. I will make the point that I, alone, am legally responsible for everyone's safety so commands will have to be executed promptly and without negotiation. Thankfully, all six of us are very experienced sailors and I don't anticipate any issues with command responsibility. Happy sailing!
Robert, Thanks for the excellent advice. I will have that pre sail meeting but it will happen on the morning before departure. I will make the point that I, alone, am legally responsible for everyone's safety so commands will have to be executed promptly and without negotiation. Thankfully, all six of us are very experienced sailors and I don't anticipate any issues with command responsibility. Happy sailing!
My best line ever - no yelling required
A few years ago, we had a boatload of my wife's office mates on board. All were drinking pretty heavily. When a fairly good thunderstorm arose, I managed to get everyone below. However, when the storm passed, my wife and one of her friends ventured to the bow. With lightning still around, I asked her and her friend to come back to the cockpit, but she refused, saying the storm was over. I considered all the different ways I could convince her (begging, yelling, etc.). I finally said, "If we get hit by lightning and you die, how long do I have to wait to get remarried?". She came right back. Harry Bethesda, MD 2002 Hunter 456 "Czech Mate"
A few years ago, we had a boatload of my wife's office mates on board. All were drinking pretty heavily. When a fairly good thunderstorm arose, I managed to get everyone below. However, when the storm passed, my wife and one of her friends ventured to the bow. With lightning still around, I asked her and her friend to come back to the cockpit, but she refused, saying the storm was over. I considered all the different ways I could convince her (begging, yelling, etc.). I finally said, "If we get hit by lightning and you die, how long do I have to wait to get remarried?". She came right back. Harry Bethesda, MD 2002 Hunter 456 "Czech Mate"
Not what I thought?
A friend gave my wife and I hats for Christmas. I thought it was a cool gift and put on the captains hat. He promptly ran over and said “No, no wait, who raises the sail, takes the helm, works the sheets, drops anchor, washes the deck, and cooks on the bbq?” I said ”I do”… He promptly took the captians hat off my head, gave it to my wife and tossed me the one that says … FIRST MATE!
A friend gave my wife and I hats for Christmas. I thought it was a cool gift and put on the captains hat. He promptly ran over and said “No, no wait, who raises the sail, takes the helm, works the sheets, drops anchor, washes the deck, and cooks on the bbq?” I said ”I do”… He promptly took the captians hat off my head, gave it to my wife and tossed me the one that says … FIRST MATE!
Tailor your approach to the sit
A lot of retoric about being in command. Good leaders dont need to play the master commander role, but adjust their approach as to the situation. Calm but firm always wins the day imho. But you have to assess your crew, are they experianced? have they sailed with you before? do they know the boat? Yelling commands to an inexperianced sailor will likely drive the individual away from sailing. If the crew is a newbie work on teaching/developing. Good pre briefings are also good. Guests/crew new to my boat receive email days before outlining the cruise, giving suggestions as what to bring and what not to bring. Once on board a tour of the boat, and a 5 min safety briefing are the norm followed by some of the duties I will be asking them to do. Then if I want them to do something, I usually talk them through it,and show them. Seen lots of Captains who yell orders and the newbie has no idea what he was talking about. In potentially hazard conditions you need to highlight the fact there is danger and the need to react quickly and exactly, but you must maintain composure or you will panic the troops. There is a difference in my mind to a loud voice and yelling/screaming. Finally anchoring is one area of potentail conflict, solution is either well practiced hand signals or get the two way walkie talkie headsets. Makes life much easier, but does take away the entertainment value to adjacent boat crews.
A lot of retoric about being in command. Good leaders dont need to play the master commander role, but adjust their approach as to the situation. Calm but firm always wins the day imho. But you have to assess your crew, are they experianced? have they sailed with you before? do they know the boat? Yelling commands to an inexperianced sailor will likely drive the individual away from sailing. If the crew is a newbie work on teaching/developing. Good pre briefings are also good. Guests/crew new to my boat receive email days before outlining the cruise, giving suggestions as what to bring and what not to bring. Once on board a tour of the boat, and a 5 min safety briefing are the norm followed by some of the duties I will be asking them to do. Then if I want them to do something, I usually talk them through it,and show them. Seen lots of Captains who yell orders and the newbie has no idea what he was talking about. In potentially hazard conditions you need to highlight the fact there is danger and the need to react quickly and exactly, but you must maintain composure or you will panic the troops. There is a difference in my mind to a loud voice and yelling/screaming. Finally anchoring is one area of potentail conflict, solution is either well practiced hand signals or get the two way walkie talkie headsets. Makes life much easier, but does take away the entertainment value to adjacent boat crews.
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