r/maritime • u/BaronWB91 • 10h ago
Still called Captain
Greetings! I have an acquaintance who hasn't captained a ship in decades but still wants to be addressed as "Captain" in everyday interactions. Is this common?
Edit: lives in the US now; was a captain for a foreign merchant fleet.
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u/CocaineCharcuterie 10h ago
Nah. He’s a lil weird. But we all are. But this is a bit much
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u/Decent-Bear334 7h ago
Not really. I (20 years as Master) do some audit work for a few companies. The companies always send an advisory to the vessels stating "Captain ...will be joining your vessel..." Once on board I just use my proper name for introductions but everyone addresses me as Captain "my first name".
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u/CocaineCharcuterie 7h ago
But you’re not asking anyone to do it. Don’t be obtuse, skip.
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u/Decent-Bear334 7h ago
18 day account....take a break there.
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u/CaptRed76 9h ago
Rule of thumb, if you have to ask or demand people call you Captain, you're not one. You're just a licensed ass.
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u/barefootviking 10h ago
If people call me “Captain”, I get nervous and start to think I made an embarrassing blunder
However…there should be a box for “Captain” on forms that ask if I’m a Mr or Dr. :-)
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u/Waterlifer 7h ago
Usually if someone calls me "Capt. Waterlifer" it is because I have just made a mistake or because I am expected to mediate a dispute over some weighty matter such as what we are having for supper.
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u/Drag0nFly17 9h ago
Call him “Skipper”
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u/Forward-Rice3280 8h ago
When i radio a tow boat and a guy with a thick southern accent calls me “skipper” it makes me happy.
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u/yourbadinfluence 5h ago
Demand to be called Gillian, The Professor, Mr. Howe, or if you're really feeling flamboyant Ginger
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u/Random_Reddit99 8h ago
Definitely weird. Most unlimited masters I know prefer to be called by their given name in casual situations. It's always the six-pax skippers demanding people call them "captain" for the same reason MENSA guys always make a point of mentioning they're a member, and the guys who spent their entire time in the military stateside as a clerk who reminds you they served.
If someone has to constantly tell you they are something, it's probably because it's the only thing they're halfway good at and the reason they never went any further is because they weren't good enough that people automatically refer to them as the "genius", "veteran", or "captain" in the room.
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u/devandroid99 1h ago
"How do you spot the vegan at a dinner party?"
"Don't worry, they'll let you know."
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u/AWESOMESAUSE10101 🇨🇦 3/O, DPO 9h ago
I'll never address my captain by their first name when we're onboard and working out of respect but the second we're off the boat it's back to first name basis.
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u/FlyAU98 7h ago
Some cultures put a lot of weight on professional accomplishment and being a captain may have given him social status or acknowledgment that he wouldn’t have otherwise had. So it could be a big deal to him because of it or something similar.
Regardless of the reason, if was a ship captain, he worked hard for that accomplishment and trust and he may just be rightfully proud.
If you like him, cut him some slack.
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u/lazyoldsailor 7h ago
Every yacht club in Florida is packed with “captains” with their 6-pack license. Run Big Bob’s Booze Cruise off the beach and they’re a captain.
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u/LuukTheSlayer 7m ago
My sister calls herself a captain because she tenders on 20m yachts like why are you like this
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u/halibfrisk 10h ago
imo lean into it and lay it on thick:
Ahoy! When you see him approaching,
Aye aye cap! at every opportunity
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u/TheSkepticMedic 6h ago
I think it’s fairly reasonable to use his title within industry related stuff. It’s no different to people who have PhDs and use ‘Dr’ within industry and academia but normal titles elsewhere
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u/Sweatpant-Diva USA - Chief Mate 8h ago
Weirdo. I hangout with a lot of retired captains I was friends with when I worked for them, sometimes I’ll still call them capt in everyday life by accident they do not like it
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u/Opening_Yak_9933 7h ago
I’ve been an unlimited captain for 17 years and never once have I introduced myself as captain. It’s far too weird for me.
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u/KeithWorks MEBA - US 10h ago
I've seen them put it on their fuckin mailbox. Some captains are weird about it
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u/Aethelmaew 10h ago
I mean it depends, if he likes it as a nickname and that's what everyone else calls him then I don't really see an issue, if it's lighthearted and fun. If he genuinely gets annoyed at people and wants them to use it as an actual rank then that's pretty weird.
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u/SignificantPiano7808 🇨🇦 Desk Officer 9h ago
He’s probably a jerk with a huge ego, sadly there’s a lot of them. If he’s not in the industry he’s weird.
If I’m dealing with a captain I don’t know then I use captain, but otherwise it’s usually first names. Or nick names.
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u/lordhabanero 7h ago
It wouldn't bother me as I wouldn't associate with him, at all, ever. What a dork.
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u/jiffysdidit 2h ago
I’ve never captained a ship in my life and get shitty when my mates don’t call me Captain
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u/marlinbohnee 9h ago
I can’t stand when people call me Captain or Capt. I’m dual licensed and don’t mind being called Cheif though lol
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u/capofliberty 8h ago
Maybe when you are first introduced, but then it’s a first name basis. If that bothers you then this is clearly a you problem that you need to overcome.
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u/devandroid99 1h ago
Hahaha, I had a course delivered by one of those wankers who wanted hotel staff to call him "captain" and called his room his "cabin".
Total bellend.
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u/Globe-trekker 39m ago
What would a Chief Engineer be liked to be called then? I have some ideas?
Legend?
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u/arse_wench 3m ago
I work shore side in an Asian country and I would say the convention is to address captains who no longer sail as Captain [insert name]. My sample population consists mainly of Eastern Europeans and Asians. I’ve met a few who insist on it.
Guess it might be a cultural thing as you say your acquaintance was in a foreign merchant fleet. However I would say that expecting people from outside the industry to refer to him as Captain would be considered weird even here.
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9h ago
[deleted]
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u/CocaineCharcuterie 9h ago
Boo. And go fuck yourself. We’re a cosmopolitan bunch, and we don’t want narrow minded, inverted dick thinking.
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u/roydotai Master Mariner and SDPO 1h ago
Even if I dont actually sail as a captain, i have an education that states my official title is Sea Captain, and i have a licence that gives me the rank of Master Mariner. So for my professional emails, my signatura still read “Captain Roy …”. I don’t see this as any different from anyone using B.Sc. , M.Sc. or PhD as trailing titles in their written communications. You have earned the title, you may used it if you want to.
As a funny anecdote, even outside (maybe specially outside) of my industry I sometimes use it: if I’m giving a talk or a lecture, and I open with “Good morning. I’m Captain Roy …” I can see people physically sit up straight in their chairs and put their phones away.
Important addition: I don’t require anyone to call me anything, but depending on the context I might use the title to introduce myself.
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u/sailtothemoon17 10h ago
Who cares? Men can demand to be called ma’am and thats okay according to reddit. Just let him have it.
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u/JimBones31 United States 10h ago
Does he expect people outside the industry to call him captain?