Captain's License

[Joel_MD]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the thoughtful replies.

 

[The Bill Collector]

a money losing side business. Tttsom!!!

tttsom ?

 

[PlayDate]

The best part about getting a license is the class and focused learning experience. I got mine almost 20 years ago and presently hold a 100 Ton Master License. I'm with Frank though.....I'm not going to renew it when it comes up again because the value isn't there.

I find the liability argument to be an old wive's tale. It was around 20 years ago as it is today. Show me a single instance where a Captain with a license incurred a greater legal wrath because he/she held a license. Arguably the law favors people who have knowledge and credentials. No one is licensed to make stupid decisions and ignorance isn't much of a defense.

 

[Billfletcher]

Interesting thread.

Like others on this board, I once held an unlimited hp and tonnage, 3rd engineer license. I let it lapse many years ago when I shifted shoreside.

Quite a few of my classmates still sail as Captains, and Chief Engineers on the largest ships in the world. The hoops they have to jump through to stay current are overwhelming.

Back to the original question. I also think taking courses is a good thing. I may do the same when I retire, but I would not get the license, under any circumstance. I don't care how good a mariner you think you are. A good lawyer will tear you up on the stand. Unfortunate, but true, and another reason, generally speaking, why I don't care for lawyers.

 

[WDCboater]

The best part about getting a license is the class and focused learning experience. I got mine almost 20 years ago and presently hold a 100 Ton Master License. I'm with Frank though.....I'm not going to renew it when it comes up again because the value isn't there.

I find the liability argument to be an old wive's tale. It was around 20 years ago as it is today. Show me a single instance where a Captain with a license incurred a greater legal wrath because he/she held a license. Arguably the law favors people who have knowledge and credentials. No one is licensed to make stupid decisions and ignorance isn't much of a defense.

This is good insight on the liability question. It's kinda what I was thinking.