Captains also hire and manage all other crew on board, plan and execute voyages around the owner’s and charter guests’ expectations, organize repairs and maintenance, control costs, and adhere to all international, flag, and port state regulations - all while providing personable, first-class service, and maintaining the highest levels of safety. “Important character traits are to remain calm at all times but also to have the right sprinkle of charisma to keep crew morale and standards high.”ĭriving the boat is just a small part of a captain’s job - many say the easiest part. “The successful captains are all excellent leaders, able to set a common goal for their crew, and ensure motivation despite arduous seasons and long hours,” says Deborah Blazy, who, as general manager of Lighthouse Careers in Valbonne, France (near Antibes), specializes in placing captains. He or she shoulders all the responsibility on board and reports directly to the owner or their representative. Simply put, a captain runs the vessel, in some ways like a CEO runs a business. Here is what crew agents and yacht owners have to say about what it takes to be a superyacht captain. Most rising crew will get the ticket before they are ready to assume the responsibility. But even after the golden ticket is earned - that 500GT or 3,000GT Master license - you’ll find there is more to getting the job than the piece of paper. The most common path to a yacht’s wheelhouse is by rising through the ranks in the yachting industry, starting on deck and building sea time, gaining boat handling and geographical experience, and accruing licenses. If you’re an experienced first mate or a bosun itching to take the helm, here’s everything you will need to become a yacht captain. When writing alternates like that, it looks sloppy to me.The role of a captain is cut out for those with a deep love of the sea and who don't shy away from responsibility. When I choose between writing "said Captain Jones" or "said the captain" it is interchangeable, yet one is capitalized and one is not. To me, that is a rather fine distinction. People say "the captain" is correct, because with that use, it's a descriptive noun, whereas, when the character is addressed, "Hello, Captain" the word substitutes for the name and is thus a proper noun. Should I consider the nature of the writing? If I were writing an article for the New York Times, I would use "down style." But if I were writing a fanciful book like the Princess Bride, should I consider using capitals, as William Goldman did? ![]() I think it looks sloppy to have the word "captain" capitalized in some sentences, and lower case in other sentences, despite the fact the word is used differently. British writers are more likely to use capitals. Generally, American writers use "down style" as in the Chicago Manual of Style. ![]() Finding authority for a rule was the basis of the Oxford English Dictionary, and gave it credibility. To me, it's strange that none of the "style books" cite any authority as I just did. Some other writers do not follow those rules and would write "replied the Captain." Those include Douglas Adams (in some books), William Goldman (the Princess Bride), JK Rowling (Harry Potter). Michener, Joseph Heller, Robert Ludlum, Nora Roberts, to name a few). Generally, most writers follow those rules (Michael Chriton, Dan Brown, Ken Burns, Tom Clancy, Wilbur Smith, Clive Cussler, James A. ![]() I looked at 20 books by the most famous novelists of the 1900s to see who follows the rules noted above. Robert greeted Captain Jones, "Hello Captain." The Chicago Manual of Style sets out these rules for capitalizing "Captain":
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |