Wow, I had to review that whole thread. I think, "Oh Lord Most High" would do. Or it could be what the Admiral calls me - D**khead. Well, OK, I had just hit a buoy. Those things pop up in the darnest places.
Do you view yourself as a Captain?
- Thread starter RECESS
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Got to agree with Jackdaw, I also look at the title of captain as a professional rank that I don't have.
If someone wants to call me skipper I am OK with it; however, I don't expect it. With 30 years of boating experience, numerous power squadron and coast guard aux courses, and ASA rating thru 106, I know I could pass the 6 pack test with a some study efforts. I don't need the certificate and I don't wish to incur the costs of obtaining and renewing the license----I spend enough already on other professional licenses! The knowledge & experience is all I need. I try to keep on learning when the opportunity presents, including learning from all of you skippers!!
If someone wants to call me skipper I am OK with it; however, I don't expect it. With 30 years of boating experience, numerous power squadron and coast guard aux courses, and ASA rating thru 106, I know I could pass the 6 pack test with a some study efforts. I don't need the certificate and I don't wish to incur the costs of obtaining and renewing the license----I spend enough already on other professional licenses! The knowledge & experience is all I need. I try to keep on learning when the opportunity presents, including learning from all of you skippers!!
I guess it is about how far you want to take the title. I agree with most that as captain you are by title ultimately the one in charge. Now do you really know what that means?
With that being said I have been a United States power squadron member and advocate practically all my life. 40 plus years on and off thru the years. I have taken just about every boating course they offered.
Seamanship, piloting, advanced piloting , weather, sail, Far too many to list. Not to mention voluntary vessel safety checks.
So I think that I have earned the title of captian.
I do not want to toot my own horn. I just wish that more so called captians aka weekend warriors would go the extra step and learn more then just the basics that is taught to obtain there operators license. Our water ways would be so much better and safer if some of our fellow boaters were more educated. Note the key word here is educated.
It's a real shame that better then half the boaters I speak to don't know that additional boating class are even available thru USPS.
Plus all the benefits that comes with continued education.
The biggest plus is knowledge itself but who wouldn't want to save money on your insurance as well.
The thing that a try to drive into there mind is a simple question.
If you ever became Incapacitated out on the water, lets face facts here things happen. Injuries or god forbid a hart attack, does your partner or significant other have the basic boating skills to get back home or at the very least know how to get help in an emergency situation with out your help at all
Remember that cell phones don't work In remote areas.
Yes or No
Something to really think about.
With that being said I have been a United States power squadron member and advocate practically all my life. 40 plus years on and off thru the years. I have taken just about every boating course they offered.
Seamanship, piloting, advanced piloting , weather, sail, Far too many to list. Not to mention voluntary vessel safety checks.
So I think that I have earned the title of captian.
I do not want to toot my own horn. I just wish that more so called captians aka weekend warriors would go the extra step and learn more then just the basics that is taught to obtain there operators license. Our water ways would be so much better and safer if some of our fellow boaters were more educated. Note the key word here is educated.
It's a real shame that better then half the boaters I speak to don't know that additional boating class are even available thru USPS.
Plus all the benefits that comes with continued education.
The biggest plus is knowledge itself but who wouldn't want to save money on your insurance as well.
The thing that a try to drive into there mind is a simple question.
If you ever became Incapacitated out on the water, lets face facts here things happen. Injuries or god forbid a hart attack, does your partner or significant other have the basic boating skills to get back home or at the very least know how to get help in an emergency situation with out your help at all
Remember that cell phones don't work In remote areas.
Yes or No
Something to really think about.
It took me about ten years to get enough proper sea time to get an Unlimted Mates certificate and several more years to get my Comand Endorsement for Master 500ton near coastal, and now I've recently attained the pinnacle of my career and can go no further. None of my certificates says Captain on them, it's more of a courtesy title. Some call me skipper or much worse, either way you just need to get the job done safely. A wise mentor of mine once said "A prudent Captain isn't the one who knows when to go out to sea, it's the one that knows when not to go out!"Safety is always the mantra when dealing with Mother Nature. That being said, I wish more people would take the time to study the call regs, it really is in there best intrest. My obstacle now is yachting, I sure do have alot to learn about sailboats and sailing!! 