Do you view yourself as a Captain?
- Thread starter RECESS
- Start date
Doug,
Down here in Florida, we lovingly refer to USCG, & a myriad of law enforcement agencies as, Water Nazis!
CR
Down here in Florida, we lovingly refer to USCG, & a myriad of law enforcement agencies as, Water Nazis!
CR
This is all judging the validity of the term from your own perspectives, which while interesting, limits the useful scope of your opinions.
In the same vein, I like to be called by name (first or last, preferably not all three as my dear mother still uses that one when I NEED to stop and listen), and don't mind being called just about anything else as long as it's friendly.
BUT,
If someone ELSE chooses to use the term captain or Captain while referring to the master of my vessel, whether strictly appropriate or not, you can be certain they are referring to me.
In the same vein, I like to be called by name (first or last, preferably not all three as my dear mother still uses that one when I NEED to stop and listen), and don't mind being called just about anything else as long as it's friendly.
BUT,
If someone ELSE chooses to use the term captain or Captain while referring to the master of my vessel, whether strictly appropriate or not, you can be certain they are referring to me.
Nom,
Can you please clarify this section from your post? I thought this thread was from everyone's perspectives.
The thread wanted opinions on how skippers felt about use of the term Captain. I thought the spirit of this thread was about the "validity" of the term from their own "perspectives."
So, varying opinions were given on the validity of the term captain. How then does this "limit" the useful scope of the many opinions posted?"
The definition of limited scope would be, "Limiting the extent or range of view, outlook, application, operation, effectiveness, etc." I thought the guys licensed or not, had a broad range of opinions on this subject, with many being valid. With four pages covering a wide range of views all over the board. Sorry, but I don't see how you feel this limits the scope.
CR
Can you please clarify this section from your post? I thought this thread was from everyone's perspectives.
The thread wanted opinions on how skippers felt about use of the term Captain. I thought the spirit of this thread was about the "validity" of the term from their own "perspectives."
So, varying opinions were given on the validity of the term captain. How then does this "limit" the useful scope of the many opinions posted?"
The definition of limited scope would be, "Limiting the extent or range of view, outlook, application, operation, effectiveness, etc." I thought the guys licensed or not, had a broad range of opinions on this subject, with many being valid. With four pages covering a wide range of views all over the board. Sorry, but I don't see how you feel this limits the scope.
CR
I have never asked anybody to call me Captain. When I sign bare boat charter papers, its as the 'Charter Captain'. I have been added to the "Captain's Rewards" program. After a couple of days on a cruise, all the crew are calling me Captain.
It is my actions on-board that 'earn' me that title.
It is my actions on-board that 'earn' me that title.
When my wife and I have bareboated with various people, I or whoever is in charge is generally called by his or her first name (as we're all friends). But it is made clear at the beginning of the charter who is in charge. We'll sometimes say Skipper or Captain for fun or just to be in the spirit of a beautiful way to spend time on the water - on a sailboat. But whatever name is used, it is still always understood who is in charge and we act accordingly. My wife even gave me one of those white captains' hats with "Captain Wink" on it - all in good fun.
I am certainly not so arrogant as to assume I have earned the formal title "Captain" and I would not formally take that name willingly (though the CG and DWF here have sometimes called me "captain" or "skipper" when I've been approached or boarded), nor would I insist on being called that. I know from the posts on this board many have earned that title.
It's an interesting question, and obviously a lot of opinions on it. Cheers!
I am certainly not so arrogant as to assume I have earned the formal title "Captain" and I would not formally take that name willingly (though the CG and DWF here have sometimes called me "captain" or "skipper" when I've been approached or boarded), nor would I insist on being called that. I know from the posts on this board many have earned that title.
It's an interesting question, and obviously a lot of opinions on it. Cheers!
The thing that got me thinking of this is we went down to look at a slip and parked our horse trailer near the dock. Upon returning someone left a note on the trailer stating it was parked on condo property. The note was accompanied by a business card that had Captain Jack on it. I asked the owner of the slip I was looking at if this was a charter boat Captain? He laughed and said it is just a dock nazi that wants everyone to refer to him as Captain Jack. He has a sailboat that he purchased at retirement. Not sure of his skill? It does make me chuckle when someone uses the term Captain as a form of self actualization. I understand being referred to as captain of the boat when you are in charge. But assuming or self appointing that as a title upon yourself without formally attaining the title makes me uncomfortable with people that do.
Recess.... I have seen that more times than I care to count. You gave a perfect example.... I think expecting others to call you captain outside the realm where it would carry authority is pretentious. Active military rank, okay.... but a civilian recreational boat owner... that's hysterical.
RECESS,
I wonder if someone, after reading your Captain Jack(?) story thinks to himself, "Hey, maybe I should have some cards printed up".
Ps: I'll bet jack saw the movie Master and Commander too.
CR
I wonder if someone, after reading your Captain Jack(?) story thinks to himself, "Hey, maybe I should have some cards printed up".
Ps: I'll bet jack saw the movie Master and Commander too.
CR
He might listen to Billy Joel ...
"Captain Jack"
Saturday night and you're still hangin' around
You're tired of livin' in your one-horse town
You'd like to find a little hole in the ground
For a while
So you go to the village in your tie-dye jeans
And you stare at the junkies and the closet queens
It's like some pornographic magazine
And you smile
Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Your sister's gone out. She's on a date
And you just sit at home and masturbate
Your phone is gonna ring soon but you just can't wait
For that call
So you stand on the corner in your New English clothes
And you look so polished from your hair down to your toes
Ahh, but still your finger's gonna pick your nose
After all
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Oh yeah...
So you decide to take a holiday
You got your tape deck and your brand new Chevrolet
Ah, there ain't no place to go anyway
What for?
So you got everything, aw but nothing's cool
They just found your father in the swimming pool
And you guess you won't be going back to school
Anymore.
But Captain Jack can get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Aw Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Ooh yeah...
So you play your albums, and you smoke your pot
And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot
Oh but still you're aching for the things you haven't got
What went wrong?
And if you can't understand why your world is so dead
Why you've got to keep in style and feed your head
Well you're 21 and still your mother makes your bed
And that's too long
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Well now Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Oh Captain Jack will get you high tonight
Take you to your special island
Well now Captain Jack will make you high tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Yeah Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will make you high tonight
Well now Captain Jack will make you high tonight
"Captain Jack"
Saturday night and you're still hangin' around
You're tired of livin' in your one-horse town
You'd like to find a little hole in the ground
For a while
So you go to the village in your tie-dye jeans
And you stare at the junkies and the closet queens
It's like some pornographic magazine
And you smile
Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Your sister's gone out. She's on a date
And you just sit at home and masturbate
Your phone is gonna ring soon but you just can't wait
For that call
So you stand on the corner in your New English clothes
And you look so polished from your hair down to your toes
Ahh, but still your finger's gonna pick your nose
After all
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Oh yeah...
So you decide to take a holiday
You got your tape deck and your brand new Chevrolet
Ah, there ain't no place to go anyway
What for?
So you got everything, aw but nothing's cool
They just found your father in the swimming pool
And you guess you won't be going back to school
Anymore.
But Captain Jack can get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Aw Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Ooh yeah...
So you play your albums, and you smoke your pot
And you meet your girlfriend in the parking lot
Oh but still you're aching for the things you haven't got
What went wrong?
And if you can't understand why your world is so dead
Why you've got to keep in style and feed your head
Well you're 21 and still your mother makes your bed
And that's too long
But Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Well now Captain Jack will get you by tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Oh Captain Jack will get you high tonight
Take you to your special island
Well now Captain Jack will make you high tonight
Just a little push and you'll be smilin'
Yeah Captain Jack will get you high tonight
And take you to your special island
Captain Jack will make you high tonight
Well now Captain Jack will make you high tonight
I have a brother-in-law that insists everybody call him Doctor. All he has is a revoked chiropractor's license. I guess you will always find 'entitled' people.
If I'm have any title it's Skipper, at least when underway.
My wife is First Mate
My son (10) is boatswain
My daughter (6) is Cruise Director.
My wife is First Mate
My son (10) is boatswain
My daughter (6) is Cruise Director.
IH,
Cruise Director? That's precious man.
However, the wife is always the Admiral, until the proverbial "**** hits the fan", then you, are upgraded and/or relegated as deck dirt! Wear this title proudly.
CR
Cruise Director? That's precious man.
However, the wife is always the Admiral, until the proverbial "**** hits the fan", then you, are upgraded and/or relegated as deck dirt! Wear this title proudly.
CR
I can relate to this answer. Have owned boats since '83. I just passed my OUPV Captain test, documents and application are in process. My motivation is somewhat similar to yours, and don't know if I'll ever do anything to get paid as a captain, but it kind of feels good to earn the title.
Until now, anytime someone called me captain, I'd take it lightly with a chuckle. I've always taken my responsibility as skipper seriously, but never felt deserving of the captain title.
BTW I had to re-learn a lot of navigation skills I used before the days of chart plotters. I don't miss the days of ded-reckoning in fog without the aid of GPS or radar.
As a former restaurant employee (some 40+ years ago), I believe that I'm qualified.
As our yacht is not part of the military, anything goes. Call me captain, bellboy supervisor, or Dude!... like Ray, just don't call me late for dinner.
Although I have to wonder, if you dress like Captain Ron (the Kurt Russel character, not our own here on the forums), do you get the title, Captain?
Last edited:
OK here goes:
My wife and I both have many years of sail race experience on boats of various size. Then we became cruisers and now have many years of telling those that ask "why don't you race?" Answer, "cold water in your face, cold drink in your hand. We chose!". We have cruised from northern Maine to southern Florida. Both of us have USCG "Captains"/ masters licenses. The course we took that included the test did not teach the test! When sailing in unfamiliar waters we are both watching what is around us (situation awareness), the helm is also watching the chart plotter, the other the paper chart - greater ahead awareness in some cases. Final decision, responsibility and "captain" - the helm. We both assume both positions.
Now to finally answer the OP question.
Call us captain? No. I am retired after spending 50+ years working for the Navy (civilian-weapon sys) and have great respect for all who serve.
Call us skippers. Or better call us happy sailors.
My wife and I both have many years of sail race experience on boats of various size. Then we became cruisers and now have many years of telling those that ask "why don't you race?" Answer, "cold water in your face, cold drink in your hand. We chose!". We have cruised from northern Maine to southern Florida. Both of us have USCG "Captains"/ masters licenses. The course we took that included the test did not teach the test! When sailing in unfamiliar waters we are both watching what is around us (situation awareness), the helm is also watching the chart plotter, the other the paper chart - greater ahead awareness in some cases. Final decision, responsibility and "captain" - the helm. We both assume both positions.
Now to finally answer the OP question.
Call us captain? No. I am retired after spending 50+ years working for the Navy (civilian-weapon sys) and have great respect for all who serve.
Call us skippers. Or better call us happy sailors.
From crab fishing in Alaska in my teens to surviving numerous gales and several hurricanes at sea on small craft, the title was hard earned.
When I'm pleasure boating I don't feel the need to be the "captain" in title, though I take the position equally seriously whether I'm pleasure boating or working commercially. I think the basic difference between sailing with friends for pleasure and commercially is that one asks someone to do a job on a pleasure vessel and some discussion is acceptable, but on a commercial vessel, no matter how nicely one asks, it is an order and no discussion is acceptable.
The safety of the vessel and all aboard is the captain's main concern in both cases, but it is the rare occasion where one would need assert one's authority while pleasure boating.
By the way, I too have a "captain's hat" from when I was captain of a cruise ship, but it's been in a plastic bag and stowed unworn, since I left the ship. Oh, except for one Halloween when I went to a party as Captain Edward J. Smith, captain of the Titanic.
When I'm pleasure boating I don't feel the need to be the "captain" in title, though I take the position equally seriously whether I'm pleasure boating or working commercially. I think the basic difference between sailing with friends for pleasure and commercially is that one asks someone to do a job on a pleasure vessel and some discussion is acceptable, but on a commercial vessel, no matter how nicely one asks, it is an order and no discussion is acceptable.
The safety of the vessel and all aboard is the captain's main concern in both cases, but it is the rare occasion where one would need assert one's authority while pleasure boating.
By the way, I too have a "captain's hat" from when I was captain of a cruise ship, but it's been in a plastic bag and stowed unworn, since I left the ship. Oh, except for one Halloween when I went to a party as Captain Edward J. Smith, captain of the Titanic.
