The term "Master Mariner"

**Anabasis** · April 25th, 2009, 11:24 AM

There seems to be a bit of confused information about the term "Master Mariner" and I'd like to see what the forum members think about it.

Most dictionaries define a master mariner as a ship's master. Wikipedia says that in the British tradition, it means someone with a master unlimited oceans ticket. In the US, Wiki continues, says that "Master Mariner" is a person with the Master Unlimited ocean as well as unlimited Chief Engineer.

From my experience at sea, is that when you say "master mariner" you mean the Master and CE tickets, which means that there are very few indeed (I have met two so far). When I go back to my academy, I see that anyone who has a Master Unlimited is called "master mariner."

In my opinion, you use the term "captain" for the person in command of a vessel no matter the size, "master" for those with have a master unlimited license, and "master mariner" for those with both top licenses.

So what says the board?

JCA

**Capt_Anonymous** · April 25th, 2009, 12:49 PM

We've been down this road before...

**Anabasis** · April 25th, 2009, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by Capt_Anonymous

We've been down this road before...

I did a search for "master mariner" and didn't come up with a hit that defined the term. Do you have a thread you can point me too? I don't want to duplicate a thread.

JCA

**Capt_Anonymous** · April 25th, 2009, 01:16 PM

Here. While not exactly the answer to the question you've asked, it was a pretty spirited exchange in the same vein. Enjoy.

**Ordinaryseaman** · April 25th, 2009, 01:32 PM

"In my opinion, you use the term "captain" for the person in command of a vessel no matter the size, "master" for those with have a master unlimited license, and "master mariner" for those with both top licenses.

So what says the board?"

If you have both USCG gives you a black helmet and light saber...

Captain Pete has both- doesn't he?

**Capt_Anonymous** · April 25th, 2009, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ordinaryseaman

Captain Pete has both- doesn't he?

As a matter of fact, I believe he does.

**Capt. Lee** · April 25th, 2009, 05:48 PM

Capt_Anonymous,

I don't even know why you are on this thread...You can't even sail as an AB>>

**tengineer** · April 25th, 2009, 07:33 PM

"Master Mariner" is a person with the Master Unlimited ocean as well as unlimited Chief Engineer."

That's my understanding also. Last one I met was a woman working for MSC.
Tengineer

**New3M** · April 25th, 2009, 08:08 PM

I've heard the term Master Mariner, but never thought it meant Master & Chief Engineer, but it makes sense.

I was taught that a Captain is only called as such once they have actually sailed as a Captain, regardless of the tonnage. We had an instructor at school who earned her Master's license and demanded to be called Captain - but since she had never sailed as one, nobody ever addressed her as such. I guess by extension the same thing applies to Master, but I've never really thought about it, since I don't call anybody "Master" as a title - it sounds more like something to put at the end of an email.

**anchorman** · April 25th, 2009, 08:10 PM

Master Mariner is a term that I have never read on any document from the USCG. I would guess that some loser decided to over-emphasize their title for land lubbers, and it just so happen to strike conversation between seaman to figure out what in the hell they're talking about. Case-in-point.

**captmike** · April 25th, 2009, 08:20 PM

I'm not too sure about the Mariner but Master is what I call my wife when I'm home!

hn · April 25th, 2009, 10:17 PM

I agree with Anchorman and 2nd Capt. Lee. What fun. I personally don't consider myself a capt amongst the maritime field even though I have a little 100 ton and would be the one to blame if something went wrong. It drives me crazy when people are insistent on there title .... blah, blah, blah... I guess if I had to vote it would got to the unlimited in both departments.

**Capt. Nemo** · April 26th, 2009, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Capt. Lee

Capt_Anonymous,

I don't even know why you are on this thread...You can't even sail as an AB>>

That's cold...saying the man isn't qualified to rig a sling?

Check your PM's.

Nemo

**Shellback** · April 26th, 2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Capt. Nemo

That's cold...saying the man isn't qualified to rig a sling?

Check your PM's.

Nemo

HAH!! I thought it was the " look out " portion that was giving him all the trouble..Port and Starboard can be very confusing for some..

JP · April 28th, 2009, 03:02 AM

I had always heard a master mariner was one with unlimited tonnage and any oceans. I never heard about having chief engineers license too.

**tugboat146** · April 28th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Talk about splitting hairs. In the UK they call a flash light a torch.
My license is a Merchant Mariners Licenses and It states that I am a Master. I sail as a Captain. I prefer to be called by my name.

**albertpachino** · May 5th, 2009, 03:05 AM

Do you guys believe everything the Chief tells you?

Danm morons... all of you. Or are you just too lazy to look up the facts in an etymology dictionary?

**Tankerchief** · May 5th, 2009, 04:24 AM

While going ashore in Charleston a few years ago, the African American security guard could not find the captains name on the crew list. He told her to look under "Master". She took great offense to this.

**seadawg** · May 5th, 2009, 08:22 AM

all this seems a little silly to me..my pc way of saying "duh! kind of stupid"..but I can contribute..if a licenced master's billet aboard is mate does that make him a "mastermater"?

seadawg..aka.."capt. seadawg esq..LOL!

**cmjeff** · May 5th, 2009, 05:41 PM

Capt Mike,

If so you're going to have to tell CAMM , CMMC and the two dozen other professional societies around the world that they need to change their name.

Actually a Master Mariner is someone who hold a Master's License, Master's degree in Marine Transportation and is the eldest son of a Scottish Viscount!

I agree with Albert, this is just another sea story thought up by some engineer to give the Captain a hard time. References to this term go back to early translations of The Odyssey... I'll have to look at a timeline of historic events but I'm pretty sure Homer never saw the inside of an engine room.