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

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.

When I lived in Maine I heard people referred to as "Captain" but it was
used more as an honorific then an indication of position. Captain
Chester Carter, for example, was a highly respected boat builder who was
still building boats and fishing lobsters in his 80's, but the guy
running the lobster boat was just "Joe".

I've always considered the use of the term to be rather pretentious,
excepting, of course the captain of anything over 100 feet and the only
time I use the title is when signing paperwork when clearing into or out
of a port.

But I suppose if one's ego needs polishing then it is a valid reason for
using the term.

By the way, the correct term is Bruce Na Bangkok (na in Thai meaning of
or from).

Your teeth sound like a pretty good price. I got mine in Bangkok and the
entire process including pulling the old ones, X-rays, this and that and
the teeth ran me about S$ 600-700, as I remember.

How do you like the tinted lenses? I've had a pair or two and however
they tint the lenses always seems to give things a reddish glow. I
didn't like them at all. Of course I'm cheap and had dyed plastic
lenses.

By the way, I've discovered the "Gravity" a news reader much like Agent
but with better filtering. you can not only put people in the "Bozo
Bin" but you can exclude posts containing any work, name or phrase in
any part of the message. Not just the heading as Agent allows. I never
see certain individuals, or even a reference to them, using the new
reader.

--
Cheers,

Bruce in Bangkok

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.

How do you like the tinted lenses? I've had a pair or two and however
they tint the lenses always seems to give things a reddish glow. I
didn't like them at all. Of course I'm cheap and had dyed plastic
lenses.
I usually get a light grey and have had no trouble. It's remembering
where I put my glasses down that causes me no end of problems. Aboard
Herodotus I always keep a spare pair near the chart table so that I
can don them and find the glasses that I have only just put down.

By the way, I've discovered the "Gravity" a news reader much like Agent
but with better filtering. you can not only put people in the "Bozo
Bin" but you can exclude posts containing any work, name or phrase in
any part of the message. Not just the heading as Agent allows. I never
see certain individuals, or even a reference to them, using the new
reader.

Thanks Bruce, I shall investigate. Sounds good.

Nice to hear from you. I am trying to work out my movements. They say
that the best time to head west from Curacao is September but not to
reach the Marquesas before the end of March. Means a long time waiting
and a longer time away from home. Thinking of visiting Cartegena in
Colombia, diving in the San Blas touring Costa Rice but am yet
undecided. It is not as much fun as touring by land on one's own.

Due to its weight I left my copy of Cornell's routing guide on the
boat.

The joys of cruising and routing with due deference to weather
systems.

BTW, was spending some time staying with a best friend and his family
in Selangor and zipping about the district and into town etc on 125 cc
motorobikes and scooters. I had been reading the progress of a Korean
man on a 49cc Honda Rucus from Charleston to Florida, across to
Califormia and back across to the eastern seaboard, carrying all his
gear on the bike.

Upshot is that, after I return with Herodotus, friend will take some
leave as we plan to travel from Singapore to Thailand, up through
Burma, across to Cambodia and Laos and then the length of Vietnam. My
son in Sydney (16) and friend's son (17) - good friends for years,
also want to come as do 5 of said nephew's friends. Still at the early
stages of planning but intend using mountain tents and camping along
the way. I have started emailing Customs colleagues and friends in
these countries, asking for their help and advice. Not sure when this
will happen as need to do so in school holidays but want to do it
while the boys are still young.

Thus we may meet up with you yet (can we camp in your back yard -
joking). They are all great kids. Where else in the world do you get a
conversation like this one I had with my nephew when his younger
siblings and parents were away for a few days, leaving only me, the
maid and his bed-ridden grandmother in the house. (Most Malay and
Chinese kids I know are not used to sleeping in a room on their own)

"Uncle?"

"Yes Faiz"

"Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Why? Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No, of course not!" (trying to sound adult)

"You're scared of ghosts aren't you?"

Head shakes agreement.

"OK then, get into bed"

Same kid and his friends cart me off on the back of their motorbikes
to watch them play indoor soccer and even buy me coffee afterwards. My
own wouldn't be seen dead with their parents shopping.

I love these kids. As the Malays say "Children are the sunshine of our
lives"

cheers
Peter

In article ,
says...

How do you like the tinted lenses? I've had a pair or two and however
they tint the lenses always seems to give things a reddish glow. I
didn't like them at all. Of course I'm cheap and had dyed plastic
lenses.
I usually get a light grey and have had no trouble. It's remembering
where I put my glasses down that causes me no end of problems. Aboard
Herodotus I always keep a spare pair near the chart table so that I
can don them and find the glasses that I have only just put down.

By the way, I've discovered the "Gravity" a news reader much like Agent
but with better filtering. you can not only put people in the "Bozo
Bin" but you can exclude posts containing any work, name or phrase in
any part of the message. Not just the heading as Agent allows. I never
see certain individuals, or even a reference to them, using the new
reader.

Thanks Bruce, I shall investigate. Sounds good.

Nice to hear from you. I am trying to work out my movements. They say
that the best time to head west from Curacao is September but not to
reach the Marquesas before the end of March. Means a long time waiting
and a longer time away from home. Thinking of visiting Cartegena in
Colombia, diving in the San Blas touring Costa Rice but am yet
undecided. It is not as much fun as touring by land on one's own.

Due to its weight I left my copy of Cornell's routing guide on the
boat.

The joys of cruising and routing with due deference to weather
systems.

BTW, was spending some time staying with a best friend and his family
in Selangor and zipping about the district and into town etc on 125 cc
motorobikes and scooters. I had been reading the progress of a Korean
man on a 49cc Honda Rucus from Charleston to Florida, across to
Califormia and back across to the eastern seaboard, carrying all his
gear on the bike.

Upshot is that, after I return with Herodotus, friend will take some
leave as we plan to travel from Singapore to Thailand, up through
Burma, across to Cambodia and Laos and then the length of Vietnam. My
son in Sydney (16) and friend's son (17) - good friends for years,
also want to come as do 5 of said nephew's friends. Still at the early
stages of planning but intend using mountain tents and camping along
the way. I have started emailing Customs colleagues and friends in
these countries, asking for their help and advice. Not sure when this
will happen as need to do so in school holidays but want to do it
while the boys are still young.


Get one of those stretchy head bands to put on your glasses. Keeps from
losing them in a gale and you almost never forget where they are. Makes
you look all "Yachtie" too. If you can get away with wrap around
sunglasses it is cool too. Wear them on the back of your head at night.

Do some research before you try driving through N. Burma as it is pretty
much Indion Country up there these days and I don't think the Burmese
Government writ runs much outside the larger towns.

--
Cheers,

Bruce in Bangkok

Bruce in Bangkok wrote in
:

I've always considered the use of the term to be rather pretentious,
excepting, of course the captain of anything over 100 feet and the only
time I use the title is when signing paperwork when clearing into or out
of a port.



Actually on my license it says "Master", not captain.....One's ego gets a
great boost when they call you "Master".

I used to date this strange woman who got all excited calling me "Master",
especially in public. That usually lead to some great nights with little
sleep...(c;

Next time someone calls you "captain", show them the license and say, "I
prefer 'Master.'" Watch the look on their faces....hee hee.

"Yes, Master!" Has such a nice ring to it...even if she doesn't really
mean it...(c;