The name for a boat driver depends on the type of boat and who owns it. In most cases, the person driving the boat is called the helmsman. Proper names for a person driving a boat include captain, pilot, and helmsman. Helmsman is the most correct term, as they steer the boat. Driving a boat is not accurate, as in rowboats, you will be rowing the boat, while in sailboats, you will be sailing the boat or being called a sailor. If you are the boat owner and are driving the boat, it would be appropriate to be called captain.
You can call them either a skipper or a driver, but rarely say “you skipper.” Instead, you would say “you drive,” so the latter term has begun to stick as the position as well. Learning to drive a boat is a simple transition from driving a car. Yacht drivers, who control speed and direction, are called Captains. Skipper is used to refer to drivers of smaller boats. Gondolier describes the person driving a gondola in Venice. Licensing and licensing are important aspects of boat ownership.
The top of the hierarchy on each yacht is the Captain, who reports to the yacht owner directly or through a representative or a yacht management company. The captain is responsible for the vessel’s safe navigation and operation, and every soul on board falls under their command. The helm (driver) does not necessarily mean they are the Captain; their role is to point the yacht wherever the tactician says.
If you command a yacht, you can call yourself Skipper or Master.
📹 Simplify Solo Yacht Docking: Expert Tips for 60 Foot Yachts
Docking a 60 foot yacht can seem stressful, especially if you’re doing it solo. But with these expert tips, you’ll learn the best …
What are people who work on yachts called?
Boat Mates and Deck OfficersMates include the First, Second, and Third Mate, sometimes called officers. These are highly qualified in.
Dividuals responsible for bridge duty, managing the deck crew, and other tasks to assist the captain or to fill in when the captain is unavailable.
DeckhandThis position entails long hours and hard work. Deckhands are responsible for the exterior maintenance of the yacht, including cleaning, waxing, and even varnishing. They also assist guests with water toys and other outdoor features, like the jacuzzi.
An incredibly important crew position. Arguably, the better the food, the better the overall yacht experience for you and your guests. The yacht chef is responsible for preparing meals for guests and the crew. They may help with service if required.
Who steers a yacht?
Brief Job Description. Captains, mates, and pilots work on ships and smaller water vessels in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Captains command the vessel and crew, steer the vessel, and ensure the safety of all crew members and passengers on the vessel. Mates report to captains and higher-ranking mates and supervise crew members to operate the vessel effectively. Pilots work with captains, mates, and other water transportation workers to steer vessels into and out of harbors.
Education and Training Level Description. The education and training requirements vary by job type (captains, mates, and pilots) as well as the type and size of the vessel (large ships, sailboats, tug boats, etc.). Employers require captains, mates, and pilots to have specific certifications that correspond to the position. These certifications are called endorsements. To earn an endorsement, a worker generally must demonstrate a certain number of hours of experience or training related to the skill and pass a written test.
Entry-level mate positions, often called third mates, typically require at least 3 years of experience as a deckhand on a similar vessel as well as the appropriate endorsements. An officer who graduates with an associate’s or bachelor’s of science degree from a maritime academy can also qualify for a third mate position with the necessary endorsements.
What is a yacht driver?
The responsibilities of a yacht Captain include: Safe navigation and operation of the yacht. Ensuring that the yacht is in all respects compliant with the relevant laws and regulations. Ensuring that the yacht is prepared for annual flag surveys, annual class surveys and port/flag state controls.
Leading from the helm as a Captain is undoubtedly one of the most fulfilling and rewarding career paths in the superyacht industry.
The Captain holds the most senior position onboard a yacht and the one responsible for the overall operation of the yacht, the safety of its crew, owners and guests. It’s an all-encompassing position where excellent navigational capabilities are coupled with a high level of administrative and managerial skills.
The role differs depending on the size of the yacht, its usage and its cruising itinerary. Captains on smaller yachts need to be hands-on problem solvers and multitaskers. Under 35m, for example, the Captain’s position also encompasses the role of an Engineer, whilst on larger yachts the Captain has dedicated teams and Heads of Departments under their command.
How do I call the ship driver?
The person in charge of a ship or boat is the skipper. Another word for the skipper is the “captain,” but skipper is so much more fun to say.
Skipper is an informal name for the captain, a way to address the person who’s at the helm of a boat or in command of a Navy ship. The word skipper comes from the Dutch schipper, from schip, or “ship.” Sometimes this word is also used for the captain of a team or the pilot of an airplane.
An officer who is licensed to command a merchant ship.
Scottish sea captain who was hired to protect British shipping in the Indian Ocean and then was accused of piracy and hanged (1645-1701)
What is a yachtsman called?
A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship.
A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship.
The profession of the sailor is old, and the term sailor has its etymological roots in a time when sailing ships were the main mode of transport at sea, but it now refers to the personnel of all watercraft regardless of the mode of transport, and encompasses people who operate ships professionally, be it for a military navy or civilian merchant navy, as a sport or recreationally. In a navy, there may be further distinctions: sailor may refer to any member of the navy even if they are based on land; while seaman may refer to a specific enlisted rank.
Seafarers hold a variety of professions and ranks, each of which carries unique responsibilities which are integral to the successful operation of an ocean-going vessel. A ship’s crew can generally be divided into four main categories: the deck department, the engineering department, the steward’s department, and others.
What is a yacht crew?
Yacht crew work and live on some of the world’s most advanced superyachts that they help operate and maintain.
Yacht Crew Positions: understanding different roles and responsibilities.
Yachting is an unique industry and a career in yachting will take you on the adventure of a lifetime. Yacht crewwork and live on some of the world’s most advanced superyachts that theyhelp operate and maintain.
Discover the different opportunities available on board a yacht.
What is a yacht man?
Yachts·man ˈyäts-mən. : a person who owns or sails a yacht.
Recent Examples on the Web The California Yacht Club was started in 1922 by yachtsman from the Los Angeles Athletic Club and other yacht clubs, according to the club’s website. —Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2023 While Steve Jobs and Bill Gates used to snipe at each other, the closest the tech world had before this to real sporting feuds was among billionaire yachtsmen like Larry Ellison of Oracle and Hasso Plattner of SAP. —Mike Isaac, New York Times, 1 July 2023 On the high seas, wealthy yachtsmen seeking speed and distance records have also repeatedly required rescue when their voyages run astray. —Adam Geller, Fortune, 26 June 2023 The owner is an experienced yachtsman who drew up his Sea Eagle II wish list while sailing aboard his previous 142-foot sloop (also named Sea Eagle). —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for yachtsman.
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘yachtsman.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
“Yachtsman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yachtsman. Accessed 31 Jul. 2024.
What do you call a person who drives a yacht?
If you’re the boat owner and are driving the boat, it would be appropriate to be called captain, but other common names include skipper, pilot, sea captain, commander, or helmsman.
Helmsman, while not as well known as some of the others, is the technically correct term for someone driving the boat who is not the owner. In those cases, the captain is typically overseeing the helmsman and the broader operations on the boat.
As a boat owner, or just the person steering the vessel, you may be called a lot of names, but if you drive safely and responsibly, those names will be nothing but positive!
📹 How To Get A Job On A Yacht With NO EXPERIENCE | Tips For Aspiring Yacht Deckhands And Stews
Getting started as a green yacht crew member may seem like a daunting task. You’ve seen all the exciting videos of yacht crew …
As a professional pilot, I appreciate everything I’m seeing here. Much like traveling via with a corporate aircraft, the amount of attention to detail we have to keep in mind is monumental. Lots of operational considerations to keep track of and to no surprise Captaining a yacht is much more of the same. Phenomenal job.
In my professional life I’ve docked an aircraft carrier, but it’s my yacht that brings me the greatest challenges! This article is a first-rate explanation and a neat execution. The only additional thing I do is to have available a boat-hook with a loop of docking line on it, so I can lasso a cleat when the wind makes things unexpectedly tricky …. 🤣
Just discovered this article. It is very cool to see how you take us through your ahead thinking and re-figuring out how to leave the boat in the state you want it to be in. I love how you show that it is perfectly possible to dock a huge yacht single-handedly with very reasonable stress levels. Experience shines through all you do. Great job and great article!
Nice one – I only have a 25′ boat, but I want to be able to handle it just by myself (not yet – only got it a few months ago) and learn heaps. This big lesson was pausing out of dock and getting things arranged – especially the lines. It’s winter here and my boat is being serviced, but come spring I’ll be practicing this (with crew just in case ;).
If I was a real jerk I could say, nice small yacht, super long and unpopulated dock, maneuverable boat with joystick control, virtually no wind or current, and still you were out of breath when all said and done.. But, I’m not a jerk, so I salute you captain, and knowing that this was not your boat and your first time in this slip, you did a hell of a professional job. Very caring for the owner : )
Just what I needed to know. You don’t need crew for a 60-70 foot boat. Skyhook and joystick. You can also get a remote control docking system just like your TV remote and you can use that to dock the boat from ashore. Well done. I liked your on-the-run problem solving because each slip will be different.
Docked it like a pro! Training & confidence goes a long way. I’d like to see how you maneuver it all when seas aren’t calm. Forgive my ignorance, but why don’t they ever have the bubble mirrors attached on the ends of the swim platform so the captain can see the blind spots? I’ve always wondered that. That last spring line move to the opposite side of the platform was genius. 👌
Well done. Docking a 60 footer can be nerve wrecking. If I may, I’d recommend bowlines on the dock and keep lines on the boat to keep things neat. Also, it happened to me to have locked warps on cleats when the lock off is made too soon. So I use minimum two Xs and an O and then maybe lockoff. Very well explained and easy to follow, step by step. Thank you.
Awesome info! If you can it’d be interesting to see two more parts to this. Docking with the wind blowing out of the slip and again with it blowing into the slip. And for kicks, a real world docking scenario where kids toys are all over the place, music is too loud, and one of your boat guests is trying to help but really just getting in the way. Just kidding. subscribed!
Nicely done Captain. Wow, modern equipment like this really helps, as does nearly no wind or current. I learned (probably as you) with single screw no thrusters, (the hardest) . Then with bow thruster, then twin and no thrusters to now twin with bow and stern thrusters computer/joystick interfaced. And with “Skyhook” Love it!! As a US sailing and US Power Boating instructor/Captain, if I could knit pick a little for the sake of the novice, it’s best to give a round turn on the cleat knot before the crossing and locking part. This puts the load more on the round turn and less on the hitch itself. Especially on a vessel of this size and windage if you get into a blow and or waves/wakes. And on the fenders. The best knot for this is a complete round turn on the rail then 2 half hitches (a clove hitch) on the standing or workload part of the line. This can be tied, untied or adjusted under load and will never jam or slip. Yes, I know that I am knit picking, but seeing as this is an instructional article. Thought that I would throw this in for the sake of the new person. Again, great job. Singlehanding a vessel of this size is not easy and as can be seen even with all the modern tools and conveniences with perfect conditions, it still takes thought, skill fore planing and a good bit of hustling around. And as was properly done here, never JUMP off of a boat to tie up. Thanks.
Thoroughly enjoy all your articles about docking and other subjects. At present I have a 24 ft Maxum on Lake Michigan out of portage harbor in Indiana. Spent a number of years launching my Dad’s boat out of 59th street harbor then in later years out of Burnham. Really enjoy cruising Lake Michigan. Hoping to upgrade in the near future to a bigger vessel. Thanks again for all the detailed articles.
Very impressive vessel and manoeuvre! I own a 43 ft former tug boat reconfigured as a recreational vessel with about 62.000 pounds with a single engine without a bow thrust and I never docked it single-handed. I have my wife for it. 🤣👍🏻 Anyway, it makes me happy to see that the processes of docking are nearly the same as we do it. The lines are configured before reaching the dock, we also select the docking side first, but I prefer the port side because of the momentum. Fenders are out in right place and right height above water fitting to the stage. And, most important, tidiness with hazards like stumbling traps. The only difference is that we always will go forward into the box because backwards makes no sense with our vessel. But in weather conditions as we see here we do it the same way with docking first with a spring line to prevent moving the vessel further. That multiple reconfiguration of the lines after docking we know also very well. Especially in the case when there are too less cleats on the landing stage like we see here. Greetings from Germany!
You did well. I noted the routing over the rail vs under the rail, first preset line. You noted and mentioned when you were on the dock and setting lines. Easy mistake, easy correction. Two improvements to suggest. When you tie your fenders to their correct length, I always use a quick disconnect clove hitch. I do not pull the tail all the way through. I finish with half of a bow like on a shoe lace,, a tug on the aglet (bitter end)and the knot goes away. Just like a reef knot on a reefed sail. Makes it really easy to reset length. An important difference. I never ask my shore power cords to support them selves. Set a line in your upper ships 4 hole cleat port stern, wrap the dock line around your shore power cables a soft 2 turns the length of the cables,, and tie off snugly to the cleat at the base of the shore power connection box. The two turn wrap supports the cable and the slight friction allows you to have slack at each end Cables can remain high and dry and tension is only on the dock line. Your most basic truth was at the very beginning,, set up on your way in. Have all lines routed under the rail,, in easy reach from the dock and all fenders preset to the proposed side and length. Single handed sailboats for years. One diesel, folding prop that had to be spun up hard to have any reverse, and no thrusters. You learn to turn the boat with a fore and aft dance that turns the vessel with the prop walk and the rudder. Your approach through the marina in this article,, the turn, back down, and then full stop,,,, were nothing short of magnificent.
I’ve done this many times in my head….! The dock seemed to be a little light on cleats…but the size of the marina…huge! The stern line always strikes me as an issue when you have a swim platform….also mooring in high wind that was blowing you off the dock would make docking solo a real pain, fairly easy to get a stern line on but I’m not sure I’d want to try and pull the bow of a large boat back onto the dock against the wind. I’ve seen people lasso a cleat from the bow of the boat just using a large loop and temporarily secure the bow…then re-tie it later. Really enjoyed your article….subscribed…
Very, very well done cap’n!! Your camera really cuts your screens on your Garmin and engine information unless you’re looking right at them. Other than that flawless article and again, very nice job. Also, as somebody who pays great attention to detail, even though my boat is only 17 feet, great job getting yourself all ready to go, not overlooking anything before heading into the dock. Bravo!!
Hmmm. You make it look very easy. Obviously, you do have a lot of experience and a lovely, planned and slow approach to slip etc. But, I guess having a ‘skyhook’ park, aft remote control, joystick, bowthruster, article control, no wind, no current, mooring in a slip and not right between other large boats (like we have to do in France) could be a benefit. I would be very interested to see you do a version with an ‘aid malfunction’ and come in just on engines. I think we would all find that very useful to see.
Your using dynamic positioning with your autopilot and you have a stern docking station for your bow thruster . Its a good way not to scratch your paint job . What was the price tag of your electronic system for private use ? To gain this stamp on your MMC it’s 1500 clams . You have a sweet toy to play with .
Nice docking job. My own boat, a 37 Egg harbor, I tie up in a slip with pilings on both sides, and found the large rear fender simple does nothing but get the hull side dirty. It has a SS rubrail which can rub the piling instead, and I tie it so it is centered in the slip. So I stopped using that one large rear fender all the time.
Very nice work and very informative for the beginner but you can make a few Improvements. Consider the way you place the eye of a line on a cleat – the way the Coasties do it is safer and easier to get off under load. During prep, coiling or flaking out your mooring lines on the boat will make them less likely to foul when you need them. Also, while you’re hove to away from the dock, test the aft control station before you rely on it.
I have a 66 foot Cheoy Lee LRC, with twin Detroit Diesels and yes, a bow thruster. It’s really not as hard to dock as you might think, and I don’t have nearly as many bells and whistles. It takes a lot of throttle with a yacht that big to accelerate quickly and you shouldn’t even be touching the throttle anyway – you just calmly move it into and out of gear to nudge it along. It also takes a lot of wind to push it much. It’s actually easier to dock than my 30 foot sailboat, no lie.
Two motors def a bow thruster and prob a stern thruster,5knts of wind max.all the pre docking rope and fender work is good seamanship but honestly my 9 yr old could park that thing with all your technical assistance available at your finger tips.id like to see you berth it in 25knts without a bow thruster.maybe it’s jealousy though as that’s what I find myself doing regularly.come to the roaring forties if U want prev mentioned conditions.Safe boating Sean
Well done, Skipper. You forecasted conditions, executed a plan, and slipped her in nice & easy. Had dock lines and fenders prepared & customized to the yacht being handled. There is no shame in repositioning your yacht further back (near end of presentation, drifting her astern to accommodate shore power cords.) No rush, no drama. Dock lines with appropriate tension. I wish dumb-a** land-lubbers would take note of your skill & learn a thing or two.
As a tour boat skipper with 18 years running a single engine, no bow thruster, single handed boat in all kinds of weather & situations I can’t find any fault in this article. The key is preparation long before you get near the dock. Always get a kick out of marina follies as skippers with far more money than boating sense approach docks totally unprepared. No lines. No fenders. No plan. It is a boat, not a car. It does not have PARK in the transmission. Don’t be the skipper putting on a show making a fool of himself. The most important line is the springline. My preferred method of initial securing was to loop a spring line to a dock cleat or bollard & tie off on the boat’s spring cleat. No need to even step off the boat doing this. Put the boat in gear at idle & it will hold itself next to the dock while you secure other lines at your leisure till tension on the first spring is no longer needed.
Your Spring Lines have individual names. The one that you keep describing as forward facing is called a Backing Line. It’s opposite is called a Towing Line. The lines that keep the yacht from drifting away from the dock are known as Breast Lines. They hold the yacht abreast of the dock. Overall you did a good job of safely bringing her into the dock. And you know the concept of securely moor a vessel. I believe you have room for improvement with your line handling skills. I not familiar with shore power regulations or best practices. But my personal preference I wouldn’t leave them druped in the water. That’s just my humble opinion
At around 12:20 you are manipulating the position of the boat closer or further away from the doc. Are you using the joystick only here? You mention you aren’t using the bow thrusters. What exactly is pulling/pushing the boat so perfectly parallel when you are using the joystick like that? I notice the boat isn’t rotating at all.
How feasible is it for a new boater or a boater with very limited experience from years ago to learn on 60 to an 85 boat. It seems with the technology on newer boats that is possible after attending a Coast Guard course or some other basic course of learning or is that simply unheard of. What do you think?
almost like cheating with the bow thrusters etc ;-). I like the attention to wind and current. I always tell people you have forward, reverse, and neutral. Think of it as a gear because you still move, just differently. My OCD kicks in when tying up. I wanted you to back that boat up a little more so bad. Lines would have worked out hehe.
I did think you would fall back off the dock when pulling on the fender line. The spring line took the force and gave you stability but without holding it the stern fender line could have pulled through the cleat. As you would know the fender line diameter is too small for the cleat so needs a full two turns around the base first then two XXs. ( for every sixteenth of line the cleat length should be that number in inches, so 3 sixteenths should be good for a 3 inch cleat and if cleat longer then more turns around the base of the cleat are required for unattended security) It will pull through the cleat with the temporary cleating. Can also be pulled through by pinching from the dock. André in Sydney This is correct way start at 3:00 youtu.be/QanKVeHZMns and here youtu.be/BBqsF72xNSU
You don’t mention it specifically but this MY would appear to have Mercury’s Zeus Pops or Volvo IPS. Pod Drives make a hard task much easier so I don’t think you are giving enough credit to the drive system to help you look good. If this is not a pod system then you deserve more credit than I am willing to give. Anybody who has a Pod Drive system on board is at a distinct advantage when docking. If I am wrong then I apologize so please let everyone know if this is Zeus or IPS. or Direct Drive.
Was this the first time you did this? You were going too fast on approach though the marina, you should have backed further into the slip before you attached the forward spring, followed by the bow line, then the stern. You knew how long your cords were before you docked. You should have been further back after your 2nd attempt. Master 50 ton Captain with 40 + experience.
As someone who docks their boat at a busy Marina I see transient boaters coming in all the time extremely unprepared. Guest sit on the boat like somebody’s gonna’ throw a line, Nobody has any idea, or gave Any thought to, where the lines are or where the fenders are until after they come to a stop, And usually drifted to somebody else’s vessel… Just like the author here states, All captains should, know which side to dock on, make ready all landing gear and fenders BEFORE entering the harbor. I like the idea of extra fenders too.
Why do yacht guys always go a while turn around the cleat on the first wrap? Commercial mariners never do that. Since it makes the turns counterclockwise (which messes the line up if its 3 strand) but also with any line and helps prevent jamming. Not that it matters most of the time. But I always found it a strange difference that almost all pleasure boat and yacht guys do it/teach it that way when no commercial boats do it that way.