O Captain! My Captain!

Here’s hoping it ends better for me that for Walt Whitman’s protagonist.

So it’s official, I received my USCG Master’s License this week.  So now I’m not only morally responsible for what happens with our boat, I’m a bit more legally responsible as well.

Specifically it is a “Master – 50 Ton Inland with Auxiliary Sail Endorsement”, and “OUPV Operator, Near Shore” which conveys certain rights, privileges and legal obligations.  In theory I could skipper a commercial sail or power vessel up to 50 gross tons on Inland Waters (As defined by the USCG), or a commercial vessel with up to six passengers up to 100 miles off shore.  It also means I need to pay close attention to what I am doing on the water since the rules change somewhat if you are licensed versus and amateur/recreational operator.

No, we’re not going to charter Evenstar.

Practically speaking, the license may afford some opportunities in the future to earn some money doing things like delivering boats, operating launches or tour boats if we was in an area for a while, and might help make occasional opportunities like that happen.  With any luck it will also smooth some of the various entries into countries that demand things like “Certificates of Competency” to prove you aren’t an utter idiot with your vessel before they admit you to their country to terrorize the locals with your anchoring habits.    The ultimate goal in getting this was to hopefully make life easier and open a few doors.

However it might be time to get rid of the “Marriages Performed by the Captain of this Vessel are Valid Only for the Duration of the Trip” sign before we have any regrettable accidents.