On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:09:24 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

In article ,
says...
Have just been looking at some Utube footage on sailboats, hydroponics
at sea etc.

It seems that every second nautically minded person posting calls
himself "Captain Jack" or Captain someone or other.

Just curious as to how many fellow boatees add the title in front of
their names.

I simply cannot imagine introducing myself as "Captain Peter" or
"Captain Panaengotis". I'm not a professional mariner who has worked
up from 3rd mate to command.

Captain Bruce von Bangkok and Captain Larry or even Captain Vic de la
Kafe don't sound as ridiculous even if a little pompous.

Does the title come with a US boating qualification or is it assumed
with boat ownership as is the weekend boater's cap with "Captain"
emblazoned loudly and the gold leaves of an admiral of the fleet?

If so, I'll adopt the title of Nakoda - means the same but has the
romantic flavour of Joseph Conrad about it - and I'll wear a sarong
and songkok for authenticity.

Any thoughts Larry, Bruce, Captain Vic? - if you can manage to get
your face away from your coffee cup.

BTW, for those with less than perfect teeth. Just got new dentures,
top and bottom - quote in Sydney, Australia - AUD$2,000. My dentist in
Panglima Garang, Malaysia (between Banting and Kelang) who is Sydney
University trained charged RM 700 - AUD $214. I also bought new
eyeglasses for myopia and astigmatism - first pair including tinted
plastic lenses, script and hardening coating - AUD $60. Second pair -
same but bifocals - AUD $40. They are not cheap looking frames and are
made in Japan with sprung hinges.

My dentist had three receptionists/nurses. I offered to buy one of his
women but he wanted too much for each of them.

Work out the price of a holiday to Malaysia with effectively free
dental care (crowns, caps dentures, fillings etc) and eyeglasses.

It may be a developing country but is not third world and is very
safe, even for people who speak poor English with a slow drawl.

cheers
Peter


I have never heard a serious sailor refer to himself as
"Captain". I do know an individual who introduces others as Captain but
it appears to be more of an identification sort of thing. i.e., a Mister
can be anyone but a Captain is somebody on a boat. At least I assume
that is his intent as he has never, in my hearing, referred to himself
as "Captain" although he has been sailing for 50 years or more.


"Captain", outside of the military, and in some business transactions,
is an honorific to be used by others to address you, not a prefix you
use yourself, unless it is in the course of conducting business where
knowing that you hold a Captain license is pertinent. It's not for
everyday use socially. Do Lawyers, (who are especially prone to self
promotion) run around introducing themselves as "Attorney Clarence
Darrow, Esq"? I don't think so.

I get addressed as Captain, when someone doesn't know my name, and
doesn't want to just say, "Hey you!", or even worse, "Dude!", but I
would never introduce myself that way. Actually, I don't even like
being addressed as Mister. I feel more comfortable being called by my
first name.

The guy who carries your suitcase at the hotel is the Bell Captain.

On Aug 21, 3:55 am, wrote:
....
"Captain", outside of the military, and in some business transactions,
is an honorific to be used by others to address you, not a prefix you
use yourself, unless it is in the course of conducting business where
knowing that you hold a Captain license is pertinent. It's not for
everyday use socially. ....

Just to be pedantic, in the US of A we get master's licenses, not
captain's. In commercial usage I think captain is a job title like
CEO or CFO. When I worked for an ocean shipping company the men in
charge of the box boats were always addressed as Captain when on
site. I've also know socially and sailed with a few unlimited masters
and they never called themselves captain and were only addressed as
such by others when making a point. Where I grew up there some elders
who were addressed as captain by everyone as a term of respect. On
the radio commercial operators often use the term "Cap" for each
other. On the docks I've occasionally heard the term used a bit
ironically as in "tricky current, Captain" after a really
reprehensible landing. On paperwork in the countries I've been to
they generally ask for the signature of the master or owner rather
than the captain.

-- Tom.

wrote in :

"Captain", outside of the military

I used to work with a guy who was a "captain" in the Air Force.

He once got assigned to a Navy installation and used to answer his phones
as "Captain Kohli". He said that made a lot of difference in the Navy,
compared to the Army or Air Force. As he was on a temporary assignment, he
lived in the BOQ (bachelor officer's quarters). He said they were also
very nice to him. He'd call the motor pool and say, "This is Captain
Kohli. Can you send a car around to take me to the officer's club?" A
nice car would show up at the door in very short order....much better than
the Air Force where they would just laugh at him and hang up....(c;

On 2008-08-21 06:55:57 -0400, said:

"Captain", outside of the military, and in some business transactions,
is an honorific to be used by others to address you, not a prefix you
use yourself, unless it is in the course of conducting business where
knowing that you hold a Captain license is pertinent.

That's pretty much how I have seen it used, a nautical "Sir" (or
"Ma'am") used by the dockhands, and sometimes between boaters.

When chartering, our tradition is to use "skipper" instead, denoting
the duty without much added status, thus less pretentious.

Personally, I address anyone anchoring too close as "skipper". Seems to
carry further when trying to get their attention, too. Adding a good
South Philly "YO!" is even better.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-à-Deux -- Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

On 21 Aug 2008 20:00:02 -0500, Dave wrote:

On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:55:57 -0400, said:

"Captain", outside of the military, and in some business transactions,
is an honorific to be used by others to address you, not a prefix you
use yourself, unless it is in the course of conducting business where
knowing that you hold a Captain license is pertinent.

S'pose Bobsprit is listening?

Bobsprit is a fictitious character created for usenet by Robert Brody.
I'm sure he uses the apellation "Captain" here entirely because it
irritates those who take themselves too seriously. He does it for fun.
Bobsprit, for all we know, also wears an eyepatch and has a peg-leg.
Whatever his creator decides to do to "flesh him out". It can even
change over time. Compare the original Mickey Mouse to the one
depicted today. They have little in common other than the name, and
the base concept of a mouse who talks.