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crazyoldboatguy · 26-06-2014, 21:15

Several years ago I was motoring across Lake Michigan in another late summer fog - visibility at times less than 150 yards. I didn't have radar at the time but had installed what I hoped was an effective radar reflector on my mast. I had been crossing the shipping lanes for about an hour and was on the auto-pilot when I heard a fog horn. I was nowhere near enough to a land based device so I got on radio and identified myself - vessel type, course, speed, location. Almost immediately I was hailed by the fog horning vessel and asked to switch to a working radio channel. When I hailed on that channel I was greeted by the crew-member with the title of "Captain".

I was taken aback but thought it best not to correct his horrific mangling of the nautical traditions by erroneously calling me by a title I had no right to claim or accept. Not when he was in calling from an ocean going vessel of 750' in length. At the moment he became visible the ship was less than 1/4 mile away from me. After I changed my underwear I told the crewman that I had just installed a new radar reflector and asked if he could "see" me. I was told we had been tracked for 15 miles. I thanked the crew member and went back to my business. The next spring I installed radar on my boat.

I didn't ask for the title, it was bestowed upon me. Most folks can differentiate between the casual title given in various circumstances and the official title achieved by dint of hard work and dedication.

**Jim Cate** · 26-06-2014, 21:19

I view recreational boaters who refer to themselves as "Captain" with grave suspicion. A shocking majority turn out to be pretentious ********. Some are simply misguided...

Jim

**Ex-Calif** · 26-06-2014, 21:32

Master beats Captain...

My money's on Yoda...

Phasers to kill...

Pelagic · 26-06-2014, 21:34

Jim....I think it is more contextual.
If formal like during entry procedures or safety inspections then you are legally the captain and denying the title ( Because of humbleness) would complicate the process

However, in social company... I agree with your conclusions.

markpierce · 26-06-2014, 21:43

While underway, other boaters address me by my boat's name, not by my title.

**Jim Cate** · 26-06-2014, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Jim....I think it is more contextual.
If formal like during entry procedures or safety inspections then you are legally the captain and denying the title ( Because of humbleness) would complicate the process

However, in social company... I agree with your conclusions.

Indeed! When dealing with officials I admit to being the Captain. Most of the folks who routinely call themselves "Captain" have never cleared into anything more foreign than the bar in a new Yacht Club.

And as to humbleness... when the language barrier permits, I always introduce Ann as the Admiral who runs our little Navy. This, coupled with our boat name usually gets a wink, wink, nudge, nudge and a smile. And we all know that a smiling official is a good official!

Cheers,

Jim

Pelagic · 26-06-2014, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

While underway, other boaters address me by my boat's name, not by my title.

Ahhhh!... So you are the silly old Coot they keep referring to!

)

markpierce · 26-06-2014, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Ahhhh!... So you are the silly old Coot they keep referring to!

)

**boatman61** · 27-06-2014, 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

Much ado about Nothing!

I happen to have attained a master mariners license and I am comfortable being referred to as Captain by my commercial peers.

By the same token, there are many members on CF who in my opinion have earned my same respect because of their impressive world cruising experiences in command of a small craft.

If you don't feel you have eared the right to be in command ....then you should question why?

Oh I feel I've earned the right to be in charge.. however not being a licenced 'Master' like youself... I feel self elevation/promotion is delusional.. and stoopid..

Personally, I don't include racers or chronic solo sailors in that list, since neither show respect or humility at sea to maintain a proper lookout and proceed at a safe speed.

Phew.... TF4T....

sailorboy1 · 27-06-2014, 05:17

Aren't captains common? Heck search the CF member list, lots of captains to be found.

**Cotemar** · 27-06-2014, 05:23

I would rather be called a Captain than a Skipper.
Skipper just has a feminine ring to it. I call my wife the Skipper

denverd0n · 27-06-2014, 05:29

cap·tain [kap-tuh

n, -tin] noun
1. a person who is at the head of or in authority over others; chief; leader.
Captain | Define Captain at Dictionary.com

When you are in command of your boat, it is perfectly appropriate for you, and others, to refer to yourself as the "captain." This is the term that the Coast Guard uses to refer to whoever is--at that time--in command of a vessel.

When I played little-league football, before each game we picked a "captain" of the team for that game. Same sort of thing.

When you charter a boat, the chartering agency wants to know who is going to be the "captain." That is, who is going to be the chief or leader on the boat during the charter. Same sort of thing. Perfectly appropriate use of the term "captain."

This is a whole different matter from adopting the formal title of "Captain." Those who call themselves "Captain," as if it is a formal title, when they have not been granted that rank by any authorized agency, are simply being pretentious.

I don't care much for pretentious people, but there is nothing at all inappropriate about referring to the person who is in command of the boat at the time as the "captain." It is simply a matter of being able to differentiate between a noun and a formal title.

valhalla360 · 27-06-2014, 05:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cotemar

I would rather be called a Captain than a Skipper.
Skipper just has a feminine ring to it. I call my wife the Skipper

Never liked skipper either. I always get this image of big burly men skipping along hand in hand. I don't want to be associated with that.

Apparently, someone has a bee in thier bonnet over the legal definition vs the practical definition.

I think there is also the difference between demanding to be called the captain and accepting it when others call you captain.
- If you seriously demand everyone who boards your 25' sloop refer to you as captain, you are probably a moron.
- Even if you are master of a 2000' ocean going vessel, if you walk into the local yatch club and demand everyone refer to you as captain, you are probably still a moron.
- About the only time, I can see it is if you are the master of a large vessel and dealing with a subordinate crew member (ie: you run a battleship and the lowly seaman didn't salute properly)

Reminds me of doctors who get all snippy if you call the Mr.

Cap Erict3 · 27-06-2014, 05:53

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.