Skipper or Captian? - Page 2

**Peter B** · 06-09-2011, 06:28 AM

Yep, so if someone calls you Cap'n, captain, skip or skipper, just suck it up, smile, and enjoy the warm fuzzies while it lasts, as they'll probably call you something else before the day is done. Especially if it's the 2IC/SO/aka wife.

Tidahapah · 06-09-2011, 06:53 AM

In the Merchant Navy the No 1 is the Master and usually holds a Master's certificate of competency for the size of vessel he commands.
The term Captain is used but not in an official sense.
The Rank of captain is a commissioned rank in the military.
On a pleasure boat you most likely be refered to as the skipper as in skipper of the good ship minnow.
Me I am just the owner/operator of my own pleasure vessel. Professionally I am the Chief Eng but I have to answer to me as the skipper, some days it is bloody difficult especially when you have just cooked the engine.

markpierce · 06-09-2011, 08:38 AM

I like the sound of "master and commander."

scarletbison · 06-09-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

markpierce wrote:
I like the sound of "master and commander."

*

*

....Of all he surveys! **

Moonstruck · 06-09-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

markpierce wrote:
I like the sound of "master and commander."

*Mark, have John or Doug put that under your avatar.* Very cool.

rwidman · 06-09-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

AllanY wrote:
The term Captain is usually reserved for those that hold a commercial Masters certificate whereas Skipper is usually reserved for amateur boaties

Allan

Not around here.* Contact a marina on the VHF, and you will be addressed as "Captain".

I am "Captain Ron".*

*

**Peter B** · 06-09-2011, 03:17 PM

Ok, well, if we're going to quote actual qualifications, I am officially a certified Coastal Yachtmaster, from the Marine Division of the NZ Ministry of Transport, so yeah...."yachtmaster" perhaps with an added, 'Sir', would be good......
(dream on, eh?)

dwhatty · 06-09-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Peter B wrote:
Ok, well, if we're going to quote actual qualifications, I am officially a certified Coastal Yachtmaster, from the Marine Division of the NZ Ministry of Transport, so yeah...."yachtmaster" perhaps with an added, 'Sir', would be good......
(dream on, eh?)

Sir Peter Bradley, Yachtmaster (Coastal), sort of rolls off the tongue evoking centuries of Anglo Saxon nautical prowess.

-- Edited by dwhatty on Thursday 9th of June 2011 04:25:54 PM

chc · 06-09-2011, 04:38 PM

Also seems like it is a marketing ploy used by dock folks looking to make you feel good enough to be generous with purchases or tips. Guess it beats " Hey Bub". Personally, I don't attach much significance to it.

Tom.B · 06-10-2011, 04:39 AM

Signature adjusted accordingly :-D

markpierce · 06-10-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Moonstruck wrote:markpierce wrote:
I like the sound of "master and commander."

*Mark, have John or Doug put that under your avatar.* Very cool.

*John has made it so.*

Delfin · 06-10-2011, 07:22 AM

When we sailed to Hawaii a few years ago we met two cruisers who had spent the last few years in the S. Pacific. *He was a Brit and made up a coat of arms and stamp giving himself the title of the Duke of Buckingham. *He said that in third world countries, signing in as Robert, Duke of Buckingham got him very good treatment. *This title disappeared about 4 centuries ago I gather, so no one seemed to object and no one had a way of verifying or falsifying the claim.

I think Bob has passed away, so that title is open as well if you would like to use it, Tom.

Tom.B · 06-10-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Delfin wrote:
I think Bob has passed away, so that title is open as well if you would like to use it, Tom.

*The Duke of Skinny Dippin'?

Maybe if Mark can get master and commander, Doug can swap out my "guru" for Duke.

Phil Fill · 06-10-2011, 08:59 AM

I think when going through the locks they used Skipper?* **About the only time I have heard captain is from yachts.* When people ask we refer ourselves as a live a board, live on and/or owner a 58 ft trawler or just Debe/Phil, which usually leads to a discussion and/or questions.

**Peter B** · 06-11-2011, 05:04 AM

Phil, please explain something, I often wanted to ask, even before, in the PMM days, but never got round to it. Where does your nom de plume, Phil/Fill come from - from what is is derived, should I say...?

Nomad Willy · 06-11-2011, 06:35 AM

I think we are skippers clear and simple. Only rarely does a captian enter our world of yachting and the use of the word is just plain wrong. Because yachting is somewhat of a party world I can see how folks can throw the word around and have a bit of fun but that dos'nt make it correct just somewhat pretentious and part of the "fun" of boating.

Tom.B · 06-12-2011, 08:42 AM

Good point.

Moonstruck · 06-12-2011, 09:51 AM

Here is what Wikipedia has to sayy:
<ul>[*]Captain (nautical), the person in command of a ship or similar vessel[/list]So, I guess if you are in command of your vessel and want to be a captain, you are.

I will usually address other vessels communicated with as Capt., Skipper, or just Cap.* That includes bridge tenders, lockmasters, and dockmasters.* It may not be exactly correct, but the respect that goes with those titles usually illicits a courteous response.

Forkliftt · 06-12-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Moonstruck wrote:

Here is what Wikipedia has to sayy:
<ul>[*]Captain (nautical), the person in command of a ship or similar vessel[/list]So, I guess if you are in command of your vessel and want to be a captain, you are.

I will usually address other vessels communicated with as Capt., Skipper, or just Cap.* That includes bridge tenders, lockmasters, and dockmasters.* It may not be exactly correct, but the respect that goes with those titles usually illicits a courteous response.

Good point Don about Bridge tenders , etc.. I always feel a little awkward when we have passed through a bridge opening and want to thank the tender. Cap'n or Skipper or such seems respectful- provided it's not an "Admiral"!

Moonstruck · 06-12-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Forkliftt wrote:

*

Good point Don about Bridge tenders , etc.. I always feel a little awkward when we have passed through a bridge opening and want to thank the tender. Cap'n or Skipper or such seems respectful- provided it's not an "Admiral"!

*In the military if we were addressing a female sargent, we would say, "yes sargent".* If she was an officer it was, "yes ma'am".* Does that work today?

-- Edited by Moonstruck on Sunday 12th of June 2011 08:23:20 PM

-- Edited by Moonstruck on Sunday 12th of June 2011 08:24:22 PM