Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association

 

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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.

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Maritime Classes

CAPCA offers an array of maritime-oriented classes that are open to the public, from marine electricity and radar operation to medical emergencies at sea and basic offshore safety and survival.

CAPCA also offers some members-only classes such as U.S. Coast Guard-approved classes for renewing your captain's license and for refreshing your first-aid/CPR certification.

Providing continuing education courses for the professional development of captains is a key element in CAPCA's member benefit program. A captain’s license comes with the responsibility of staying current with laws, regulations, business practices and, most importantly, safety at sea. The continuing education program helps captains maintain or improve their professional knowledge through courses and seminars. We keep costs low by using competitive bidding and guaranteed class size. Many classes are open to the general public. Members enjoy discounted tuition.

To see our current course offerings, click CLASSES in the main menu. 

You can receive course and seminar announcements through e-mail, on this website, and through CAPCA tweets. Courses are usually held during the late fall and winter months.

If there is a need or a request for any other courses or seminars, CAPCA will try its best to schedule them. Please make suggestions by contacting  education@capca.net.

To ensure a seat we recommend that you sign up as early as possible. We maintain a waiting list in case a last-minute opening appears.

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.

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