CAPCA is a professional organization for Coast Guard-licensed captains across the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic coast. Our captains operate charter boats, tour boats, survey and tow vessels, and ocean-going ships. Some provide instructions for new boat owners. Others deliver boats between ports. We have more than 300 licensed captains available to assist boat owners and dealers.

We are dedicated to two primary missions:

Promote the professional development of our members

We operate an online job board for our members that serves as a clearinghouse for captains’ jobs; offer continuing education classes; mentor captains to help improve their practical skills; and provide opportunities for members to network with other captains and with leaders in the maritime community.

Serve the maritime public

We also serve the broader interests of the maritime community by providing a "hire a captain" service; offering maritime-related courses to the public; operating a Speakers Bureau to provide speakers to interested groups; maintaining a code of ethics for our captains; and participating in public-service activities, such as safety at sea conferences.

Where We Are

CAPCA Member Locations