Great lakes captains

[John Arton]

https://www.facebook.com/share/15XPAyLwuA/
Hopefully many can see this but it relates to a newly promoted captain on a great lakes steamer. After only 9 years at sea, which includes 4 years in college, he has gained his first captain's job.
Now I have to accept that what is written in the Facebook post is correct but bleddy heck, only 9 years at sea and you are a captain?
Rgds
J.A

[John Cassels]

https://www.facebook.com/share/15XPAyLwuA/
Hopefully many can see this but it relates to a newly promoted captain on a great lakes steamer. After only 9 years at sea, which includes 4 years in college, he has gained his first captain's job.
Now I have to accept that what is written in the Facebook post is correct but bleddy heck, only 9 years at sea and you are a captain?
Rgds
J.A

Well , I passed for Masters F.G.after 10 years at sea. 1963 - 1973 although still sailed as ch.mate.

[j.sabourn]

In my time at sea I always looked on a masters job as a reward for long and faithful service to the person as was unable to get around the decks etc. himself but was ok at delegating. Twice I knocked back permanently a masters job after standing in for a master incapacitited as considered myself above sitting in a cabin reminiscing of the past.only when I saw the young spunk trumpets jockeying for position that my attitude changed, and went master in the latter part of my fourties , permanently that is. But still had the Occassion to go back as mate when the urge inclined me to do so. I roamed to all different types of shipping, until no shipping as such left for the British seaman. Didn’t make too much money ,but did see life. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John A.
It may be the modern way??? It took me four years to reach the dizzy heights of EDH, my first trip Captain asked me if I would like to study with the Apprentices for my ticket, but I had to turn him down as my schooling left a lot to be desired. But four years to Captain is a bit of a stretch, to gain the experience needed, maybe that is why so many ships are in strife these days.
Des

[j.sabourn]

Des it is the normal concept or used to be that you couldn’t tell someone to do a job that you couldn’t do or at least have a working knowledge of that job as to know it was done correctly. It takes more than 9 years to do that on a ship at least. Also the head man is responsible for the welfare and good health of the total crew on board and this covers all personal problems which May be a case of mental distress also. He is supposed to wave his magic wand and put things right. He is the man held responsible for all mishaps and as the owners rep. He is regarded as the owner. Most masters of the old school, the masters job was the last sanctuary of a close to a retiring seafarer and all he wanted was a well running vessel with no problems. Unless of course he was one of those who thrived on problems and got his pleasure from the same. In which case he was the wrong man in the job in my opinion . Cheers JS.

[Tony Taylor]

Hi John A.
It may be the modern way??? It took me four years to reach the dizzy heights of EDH, my first trip Captain asked me if I would like to study with the Apprentices for my ticket, but I had to turn him down as my schooling left a lot to be desired. But four years to Captain is a bit of a stretch, to gain the experience needed, maybe that is why so many ships are in strife these days.
Des

Des, how many will have genuine tickets and, if genuine, what standard are they when compared with West European standards for example.