Do you view yourself as a Captain?

Chief RA · Jun 11, 2014

Probably just "Chief of the boat". I have one of those caps and it hangs at home too. I like it but....... I tell my wife our boat isn't big enough for her to be an Admiral, maybe just a Commodore. ha Chief

Scott T-Bird · Jun 11, 2014

About the same as I feel about being called "mister" ... I'm looking over my shoulder to see if they are speaking to somebody else. But I do get some guilty pleasure when some of the young females in our office use the term ... and they can call me "Captain", too, if they like!

Rocket1 · Jun 11, 2014

Professional or not....

When anyone comes aboard my boat, by virtue of ownership I am looked to as the knowledgable authority on board.

Even the USCG stipulates that the owner/operator of said vessel is looked upon as the "Captain", and is responsible for the proper operation of the vessel as well as the safety of all souls on board. When being boarded by the CG for a routine inspection, who are they going to speak with? You. If they find a violation, whose name goes on the ticket? Yours.

I don't run around our boat with a uniform on barking out orders to a crew, but I do take my responsibility as the "Captain" very seriously. I've never had anyone argue with me on my boat (well, the Admiral may be the exception), and in general our guests actually look to me as the leader of that particular expedition - especially those that have little or no experience on a sailboat.

So, do I consider myself a "Captain"? Though I may not refer to myself as such, I do assume those responsibilies when we go out.

Perhaps it's just semantics.....you're the Captain whether you like it or not.

chrisings · Jun 11, 2014

Rocket1 said:
When anyone comes aboard my boat, by virtue of ownership I am looked to as the knowledgable authority on board.

Even the USCG stipulates that the owner/operator of said vessel is looked upon as the "Captain", and is responsible for the proper operation of the vessel as well as the safety of all souls on board. When being boarded by the CG for a routine inspection, who are they going to speak with? You. If they find a violation, whose name goes on the ticket? Yours.

I don't run around our boat with a uniform on barking out orders to a crew, but I do take my responsibility as the "Captain" very seriously. I've never had anyone argue with me on my boat (well, the Admiral may be the exception), and in general our guests actually look to me as the leader of that particular expedition - especially those that have little or no experience on a sailboat.

So, do I consider myself a "Captain"? Though I may not refer to myself as such, I do assume those responsibilies when we go out.

Perhaps it's just semantics.....you're the Captain whether you like it or not.

Bob hit the nail on the head. When you are the operator of a boat you take on the responsibility of a "captain" like it or not. I too take this very seriously.

Calif. Ted · Jun 11, 2014

I always associate Captain as a professional title. One that is earned through years of moving up to the responsibility.

Before retirement my rank and "job title" was Captain, I'm still getting used to being called "Mister", and nobody says "Sir, Yes Sir!" to me when I speak now.:cry:
Regardless of rank I feel that the person in charge of a boat is it's "Captain".
They made me buy my own hat, but I don't wear it on the boat, too stuffy.

Stu Jackson · Jun 11, 2014

Scott T-Bird said:
About the same as I feel about being called "mister" ... I'm looking over my shoulder to see if they are speaking to somebody else. But I do get some guilty pleasure when some of the young females in our office use the term ... and they can call me "Captain", too, if they like!

Scott, you're soooo right!

First time that happened to me, coming out of movie theater altogether too many years ago, I, too, thought they were talking to the older gentleman in front of me!

"Chief of the boat" applies if you know all the systems on board and are in charge of fixin' 'em.

Many of us qualify!

Otherwise, anything else seems a tad over the top on a recreational sailboat.

My first name usually works better, 'cuz if they call me anything else, and they have, often :cussing:, then that's about when I'm sure they really ARE talking to somebody else!

There are really two things at play here:

--- legal responsibilities

and

--- titles used by others on board to refer to you

Let's not mix 'em up.

Now, what was the question again? :dance:

Scott T-Bird · Jun 11, 2014

Calif. Ted said:
Before retirement my rank and "job title" was Captain, I'm still getting used to being called "Mister", and nobody says "Sir, Yes Sir!" to me when I speak now.:cry:
Regardless of rank I feel that the person in charge of a boat is it's "Captain".
They made me buy my own hat, but I don't wear it on the boat, too stuffy.

That rank and title for anybody who serves in that manner deserves the utmost in respect, Sir, Yes Sir!

capejt · Jun 11, 2014

You Bet I'm A Captain!!

After spending several years at the Maine Maritime Academy, going through five grueling days of Coast Guard testing, spending many days and nights at sea to earn my "ticket", you better believe I consider myself a Captain! Even though I was forced to give it up over health problems, in my heart I was and will always be a Captain. In my book, a title like Captain is something akin to Doctor. It's something that has to be earned. Forgive me if I sound a bit grumpy, but this is something very near and dear to me, especially in view of the many incompetent weekend warriors out there who call themselves Captain. I certainly don't mean anyone on this board. I find those here are honest and realistic about their abilities, but you know the type of of operators I refer to. (Usually powerboaters)

Dunlookin · Jun 11, 2014

You Can Call Me...

Ray. You can call me Jay. You can even call me Ray-Jay. Just don't call me late for dinner.

I am the Master of my boat. I act as Captain when we move and the maintenance man when we do not. I am the the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, the custodian, the "spider-killer." I am the bottom cleaner, the one who does the sewing. I am the electrician, the plumber, the grocery clerk. I pay the bills, man the watch, lower the anchor, raise the sails. I make all the announcements, generally deal with any number of other complaints or issues that can ccrop up on a 33' sailboat that is (nearly) as old as I am.

If I had a hat for every position I assume, and duty I perform, I would need a significantly bigger boat.

My title is unimportant. My rank no longer of any concern. The wind calls my name...that is the only sound I need listen to.

I quote the sage comic character Popeye often.

"I Yam What I Yam."

Kings Gambit · Jun 11, 2014

When aboard the boat and my friends, crew, and wife refer to me in the 3rd person, it's usually as "the Captain says..."; "the Captain's beer..."; "the Captain wants", "...Captain's orders", etc., even though there's no hat except for a racing cap. So, I'm their Captain regardless of how I see myself; and I'm legally the Captain of the boat! I even get Mon Capitan occasionally!! I don't think I'd want to go anywhere with someone who says he/she is NOT the Captain!!

redhead78 · Jun 11, 2014

I have found several people I know call me captain, more off the boat than on..My close sailing budds call me Skip, or skipper..I guess it is what it is, whatever that means...you can call me whatever you want as long as the boats floatin and I,m on it!! Red

Skipper · Jun 11, 2014

Skipper.

If a person is not an official captain, then "Skipper" is an appropriate title.

Skipper def: the master of a ship; especially : the master of a fishing, small trading, or pleasure boat

Not being a captain, I would never accept nor refer to myself as "Captain".

Joe · Jun 11, 2014

Automatically assigning the "captain" title to anyone/everyone who owns a recreational boat is an insult to someone who earns the title through the traditional path of formal training and experience.

But... in fact.. "captain" has two connotations.... one is a RANK .. which indicates the level of experience and training attained by the individual. The other is AUTHORITY... and, nautically, would indicate "who's in charge of the boat". The Coast Guard would want to know who's in charge of the boat when they do an inspection, so they ask for the captain.

.... Unless you have the license or commission(rank), don't call yourself "Captain"... When you're out for a day sail on your Cat 22 with a couple of friends.... you are a captain temporarily.... but if you insist on being called such, you are an imbecile. When you are away from the boat...you're a boat owner... that's it.

Attaining the rank of captain... through licensing or other channels... qualifies you to command other people's boats for compensation..

And don't forget, PIRATES elected their captain... the authority was not given just because he owned the boat.

weinie · Jun 11, 2014

I'm about as much of a captain as this guy was:

Benny17441 · Jun 11, 2014

Every boat needs a Captain. The role is usually assumed by the owner or the most experienced crew member. It is not a title so much as a responsibility. He is responsible for the well being of the crew and the boat and for making the final decisions as to when the boat moves. It is not proper to have more than one person making decisions aboard a vessel especially when conditions warrant a decisive and prompt response. I have sailed long and far with a friend of mine and on a trip we exchange and alternate the Captain's hat. Much like a pilot handles the controls over and the co-pilot accepts them we exchange the responsibilities usually with the turning over of the helm.

Sailm8 · Jun 11, 2014

I think Captain becomes important when it comes time to pin the tale on the donkey after there has been an problem.

Kings Gambit · Jun 11, 2014

Skipper said:
If a person is not an official captain, then "Skipper" is an appropriate title.

I guess we can always refer to Gilligan's Island for protocol. "...Gilligan, the Skipper too...". That's at least as good as Popeye the Sailorman.

I dunno. Titles and certificates may or may not be "earned" in the sense we're referring to. Certainly, a military rank of "Captain" is earned through promotions, etc. I don't know about everyone of the others, especially when there are schools advertising coursework designed to "help you get your Coast Guard Captain's License" with 90% plus pass rates on a multiple choice exam. If you're the authority on the boat b/c you own it, you're the Captain. If you're put in charge of a stolen boat by the pirates who stole her, you're the Captain. Apparently Bridge Tenders along the ICW, Harbor Patrol Officers, and Marina Dock Masters see nearly everybody hailing them on VHF and asking for service as captains, b/c they typically refer to you as "Cap." So, get used to it!

25yearslater · Jun 11, 2014

While I earned my credentials at the US Army Transportation School for Operator of Harbor and Rivercraft and operated LCM8s, LCU15s, 65' Tugs and 100' Tugs as well as serving as Senior Seaman aboard the USAV LTC John U.D. Page I remain reluctant to refer to myself as Captain and am equally disturbed when referred to as such. I accept my position as ultimate authority while afloat and take the safe operation of YOT every bit as seriously as if I were operating in a commercial or military capacity and probably more so as the persons on my vessel don't have the same level of training as in the commercial or military world. It's simple, It's not the title it's the person.

Do you view yourself as a Captain?

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