Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association

 

CAPCA Logo white 250x130

We are a professional organization for Coast Guard-licensed captains who operate primarily on the Chesapeake Bay and the East Coast of the United States.

Although our captains' licenses range from small passenger vessels to oceangoing ships, the bulk of our members operate boats of 100 tons or less—such as tourboats, water-taxis, towboats, and charterboats. Some also work as instructors and delivery captains for transporting recreational boats between ports.

Captain shadowHire a Captain

Looking for a Coast Guard-licensed captain to serve as an operator or a crewmember for your vessel? We have many and they're ready to serve you. With one free request, you can reach all of our members.

To hire a captain click on menu item HIRE A CAPTAIN and fill out the form.

Here are a few services our captains can provide:

  • A delivery captain to help take your boat from one port to another. One of our experienced captains can assemble a competent crew, make provisions for the voyage, and pilot your vessel there and back.
  • A captain to skipper your recreational boat for a day-on-the-water. Enjoy yourself and your company and leave the boathandling and navigating to us.
  • A yacht captain to serve as full- or part-time skipper of a private yacht.
  • A charterboat captain who can take you and your party fishing or sightseeing or skipper a boat for parties or special events.
  • A licensed captain to serve as the operator of a tourboat, towboat, water-taxi, or larger vessel.
  • An instructor who can mentor you and your family on boathandling, rules of the road, and other skills you need to enjoy your time on the water safely.
PLEASE NOTE: CAPCA serves to facilitate a connection between a client seeking a captain and a CAPCA member captain. CAPCA assumes no responsibility for the outcome of the transactions between them. Each party must exercise due diligence to determine the specific nature of the assignment, the fee(s) charged, the issue of liability, and any other applicable concerns. If you have any questions about the CAPCA Hire-a-Captain program or the job board, please email jobs@capca.net

ATTEND A MEETING

CAPCA meeting

Join us at our monthly meetings where you can meet our captains, find out more about CAPCA, and hear interesting guest speakers.

Click here for meeting details.

MMC shadowWhy earn a captain's license?

  • use your boat to carry passengers for hire
  • enjoy a discount on marine insurance for your boat
  • required for many full- or part-time maritime jobs
  • acquire a comprehensive knowledge of navigation and rules of the road

Click here to read a description of the process for earning a captain's license.

carrick bendCAPCA Speakers Bureau

Need a speaker for your yacht club or professional organization? Ask one of our Coast Guard-licensed captains.

    After you submit the form, our speaker’s bureau coordinator will get back to you soon.

Our members have a wealth of experience—on the water and in classrooms—that gives them the knowledge and background to provide guest-speaker presentations on a host of maritime-related topics, from seamanship and navigation to radio operation and basic first aid for boaters. Let us know a topic that interests you, and we’ll take it from there.

CAPCA provides this as a public service to the maritime community. There's no speaking fee or charge.

carrick bend