InTheBite alternative logo
Subscribe to InTheBite for Unmatched Big Game Fishing Insights!
 

Help Wanted: The Captain’s Complex Job Description

As much as we’d like to take credit for a great idea, longtime subscriber and boat owner Mr. Saeed Almaktoum provided the inspiration for this article. Saeed sent us a note suggesting such an editorial regarding role ambiguity after reading the 2019 Captain & Owner’s Guide. I have a background in the aviation business. If I leave one company to go to another, the standard operating procedures are the same”even from one country to the next. The expectations and the job description are almost identical. We have standard operating procedures and guidelines for every employee to know what is expected of them, he says. Strangely, when it comes to boating, a multimillion-dollar business, I could not find a guide that defined the expectations that a boat owner should have of his captain. When it comes to boating, these days even my kids can drive a boat or dock it with the joystick. Similarly, any worker”be them carpenters, butchers or janitors”can call themselves captains if they have a piece of paper, Almaktoum elaborates.

Finding a qualified, professional captain who is capable of and committed to keeping a sportfishing vessel performing optimally can be as difficult as it is important. InTheBite resident expert on all things captain seconds this notion. Capt. Scott Fraz Murie is as passionate about the subject as he is direct. A captain license takes about as much time and effort as getting a CDL to become a garbage truck driver. Are you a captain or are you a bus driver? Some of the things I see from today captains really surprise me. Just as defining a clear job description would benefit owners, it would also help the professional captains of the world. After all, not only are owners regularly burned by paper captains, so too are experienced helmsmen who strive to make the job a career through hard work and devotion to the craft. The issue has more layers than one might assume. When an owner desire to keep a boat is chewed up from dealing with a multitude of problems and expenses caused by a neglected or poorly maintained boat, professional captains are harmed twice. Not only did the underqualified and/or underperforming captain swindle a valuable position upon initial hiring, when the owner disgustedly sells the boat he is effectively eliminating any future opportunity. This not only fractures what could have been a long-term career but ruins what should have been years of enjoyment for the owner as well.

If you surveyed a random sample of people as to the most important part of a captain job, the most common response likely involves catching fish. Were you to pose the same question to a group of boat owners, the answer nearly universally entails protecting their investment. Every sportfish owner wants to catch fish on his or her boat, but none would do so at the expense of their vessel well-being or value. After all, were it just about catching fish, the boat owner could hop on a plane and rack up big numbers with one of many reputable charter operations in Costa Rica or Guatemala.

First and foremost, the responsibilities of a captain center on asset management. When you hire a captain, they are legally responsible for the boat. Do you know what the four stripes on an airline captain shoulder stand for? It all my fault. When I am flying an airplane, I am responsible for the aircraft and all of the occupants. It is the same when you hire a boat captain, Almaktoum describes. Generally speaking, a captain many managerial duties involve protecting and preserving the vessel. A good captain, in spite of the sizable salary he or she commands, saves the owner money. Cheaping out on captain and crew may save an owner a couple of bucks in the short term, but it costs significantly more in the long run. A captain-maintained boat holds its value much longer with significantly less depreciation than one that has largely been neglected. It is also quite a bit more fulfilling to spend your money funding the annual salary of a dedicated captain than it is to prematurely rebuild your main engines because they werent cared for correctly. There are a multitude of systems on a modern sportfisher. Each has hundreds or thousands of working components that require skillful attention and meticulous maintenance schedules. And we cant forget about caring for the many parts of the boat that dont move. What follows is a breakdown of boat systems with maintenance and service items. Capt. Scott Murie details which jobs can reasonably be expected to be performed by captain and crew and those that should be farmed out to professional technicians.


captain image

Don’t Forget to Check Out Our Sportfishing Job Board! Did You Know? It’s the perfect platform for seeking skilled captains and mates. Whether you’re on the hunt for your dream team or looking to join one, your next big adventure begins here. Explore the opportunities now! Click Here

Dive Deeper into the World of Sportfishing

You’ve just experienced a taste of the exceptional content featured in the pages of InTheBite Sportfishing Magazine. If you found this engaging, you’re in for a treat with our full publication. Whether you prefer the tactile experience of print or the convenience of digital or both we have a special offer for you.

Are you ready to explore the thrilling world of sportfishing from the comfort of your home? Subscribe now and embark on a journey filled with captivating stories, expert insights, and insider tips. Choose between our digital or print edition and secure an incredible 50% discount on your subscription.

Subscribe today and get ready for an adventure like no other. Click here to subscribe and elevate your sportfishing experience with InTheBite Sportfishing Magazine.

6 23 InTheBite Cover

Subscribe Today

____________________________

Get Both Print & Digital

Give a Gift Subscription

Manage Your Own Subscription

Save 50% Act Now

_____________________________

Post Tags
Share Post