At what point do I need a captain?

[Hippocampus]

Please read with accuracy.certificate of competency is needed in Europe as clearly stated.

 

[Steel N Time]

Please read with accuracy.certificate of competency is needed in Europe as clearly stated.

Did he state intentions of cruising Europe?!?

 

[Simi 60]

It is not about financial reward at all when piloting your own vessel?!?

Read the post I replied to, it was about working as a captain

All this BS people spread about additional liability and infractions is mostly just that.... If you are cruising in foreign countries their laws prevail and they don’t care for the most part what the USCG says....

I dont care what the USCG says as I am not a US citizen
But here in Australia we still have laws to abide by and penalties for breaking them or, in the case of a captain, others breaking them but you held responsible.

 

[Steel N Time]

Read the post I replied to, it was about working as a captain



I dont care what the USCG says as I am not a US citizen
But here in Australia we still have laws to abide by and penalties for breaking them or, in the case of a captain, others breaking them but you held responsible.

Maybe you should read the thread.... This thread is not about being paid... it’s about “when does he need a captain” for a private vessel......

All laws should be adhered too, but this whole bunch of BS about being held to a higher level for piloting your own vessel in another country is just that as I said...

 

[Simi 60]

^^^^^ WEEEEEeeeeee
Got a live one here

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

Please read with accuracy.certificate of competency is needed in Europe as clearly stated.

So why are these people being asked by Cape Cod Canal and VTS operators for their cert?

 

[psneeld]

So why are these people being asked by Cape Cod Canal and VTS operators for their cert?

I too saw the post as US East coast oriented.... Cape Cod, NY, Chesapeake....... the latter 2 I have operated in and never been questioned or even saw a requirement to contact anyone.

 

[Hippocampus]

OP asked about needing a captain. Replied with situations where various credentials may be asked for with examples of same. This site includes people from all over the world and some international cruisers as well. Examples were salient to members of this site in my view.
It’s unfortunate many here are most provincial in their thinking and seem to only reference their frame of reference.
Certificate of Competency is required by all mariners in Shogen countries including recreational vessels. Even Belize and many other countries do as well beyond a certain gross tonnage or LOA. This is distinct from a captain’s license although depending on that license it well may serve as the other in practice.
In the other areas mentioned the posters here are obviously small recreational vessels of absolutely no concern to the powers that be. So of course you would never be questioned and would likely have no awareness of the actions of the controlling authorities. Speaking specifically about the CCC. I too transit this canal frequently. I also flyfish for stripers from its shores frequently. I commonly hang out off Cleveland Ledge to fish and listen on 9,13 and 16. I’ve seen (and heard) barge operators, shipping and mega yachts interact with its controlling authority. Seen them escorted through the canal. I’ve also heard the vhf chatter and watched interdiction when a vessel behaved in an unseamanlike way.
You are right. From their point of view you are trivial small craft and you will likely never interact with them as long as you don’t speed or do something stupid. Doubt the OP will carry hazmat but if he’s big enough to damage a bridge or interfere with two vessel passage it’s not unlikely he’d hear from them.

 

[psneeld]

I read the Coast Pilots so I do know exactly what authorities expect.

Don't assume from your point of view what others know or research.

2 pro mariners raised an eyebrow at your sweeping generalization. Maybe more specifics wouldn't attract attention.

And yes narrow mindedness abounds here when people post..not necessarily out of ignorance but mostly familiarity with their own expeiences.

 

[psneeld]

From Army Corps handout about Cape Cod Canal

.Right of Way Hierarchy
While transiting the Canal, the following
right of way hierarchy shall be observed,
in addition to the U.S. Coast Guard Inland
Navigation Rules:
1. Vessels under 65 feet in length shall not
interfere with vessels 65 feet and over in length.
2. Recreational vessels shall not interfere with
commercial vessels.
3. Vessels traveling against the current shall not
interfere with vessels traveling with the current.


Probably why most private trawler owners don't care and just stay clear while mega yachts have to coodinate passing with commercial guys.

 

[rgano]

Yep
But for most, the financial reward for that level of responsibility simply is not there.

Neither Conrad nor I had anything to say in that post about financial reward because the sentiment was about the reward of the responsibility itself. You are correct in that for the most part the financial reward-to-responsibility ratio is vanishingly small, but there are times at sea (and we are not talking of the pitifully few privileges of a captain) when you are in command when all the work and privation make it all worthwhile. It's a feeling few will ever know and and the vast majority, even boat owners who command only themselves, will ever know. You just have to be there.

 

[psneeld]

Neither Conrad nor I had anything to say in that post about financial reward because the sentiment was about the reward of the responsibility itself. You are correct in that for the most part the financial reward-to-responsibility ratio is vanishingly small, but there are times at sea (and we are not talking of the pitifully few privileges of a captain) when you are in command when all the work and privation make it all worthwhile. It's a feeling few will ever know and and the vast majority, even boat owners who command only themselves, will ever know. You just have to be there.

It was true of most all military rank back in the day.

As I saw the US government substitute pay for responsibility and the benefits that went with rising in the ranks and culminating in command....I saw some serious issues develope in a system never designed to make money an issue.

 

[rgano]

It was true of most all military rank back in the day.

As I saw the US government substitute pay for responsibility and the benefits that went with rising in the ranks and culminating in command....I saw some serious issues develope in a system never designed to make money an issue.

I do not understand the statement that the gumint substituted pay for responsibility in the US military. Don't see how that is possible.

 

[psneeld]

Just that authority/ privileges were chipped away and pay was increased significantly to catch up with civilian counterparts.

I have mentioned the erosion of responsibility before here and lots of former service members seemed to agree.

Maybe I just didn't want to give up many of the niceties I remember back in the 70s that were mostly long gone by the late 90s.

Seems like something is going on...not sure exactly the problem, but the military seems to be relieving commanding officers on nearly a daily basis these days for all kinds of reasons....just where is the problem?

 

[rgano]

Just that authority/ privileges were chipped away and pay was increased significantly to catch up with civilian counterparts.

I have mentioned the erosion of responsibility before here and lots of former service members seemed to agree.

Maybe I just didn't want to give up many of the niceties I remember back in the 70s that were mostly long gone by the late 90s.

Seems like something is going on...not sure exactly the problem, but the military seems to be relieving commanding officers on nearly a daily basis these days for all kinds of reasons....just where is the problem?

Now I understand your point. I would say as a senior officer that my authority was eroded through the 80s until I retired in 89, but my responsibility kept increasing. From 96 to 2012, I spent a lot of time in close company with warship commanding officers at sea with times to discuss the 70s and 80s Navy I experienced and the one they lived in, all of which confirmed sentence two above.

 

[Nick F]

Hi Pj,

I have a friend who bought a 135 footer a few years back, moving up from an 80ft Hatteras. For the longer (ocean) trips he went to a school in Florida and got some sort of of yacht captain diploma that satisfied the insurance company. PM me if you would like to speak with him.

Nick