The 6-Pack Rule: What’s Really Limiting Your Passenger Count
At Confident Captain, we often hear the same question from new charter operators and pleasure boaters looking to offset fuel costs or start a side business on the water: “My boat has 12 seats, 3 bunks, and plenty of deck space — why can’t I take more than 6 passengers for hire without jumping through […]
Book Review: Hooked: Pirates, Poaching, and the Perfect Fish by G. Bruce Knecht
Reviewed by Captain Kent In Hooked, G. Bruce Knecht drops us into the cold, chaotic waters of the Southern Ocean, where a ragtag crew of poachers aboard the Viarsa 1 are on the run—4,000 miles of cat-and-mouse with Australian fisheries officers hot on their wake. The target? The elusive and lucrative Patagonian toothfish—rebranded for fine […]
Blast From the Past: Stability Basics by Capt. Erica
Here at Confident Captain, we are all about lifetime learning and returning to material when necessary. With that in mind, let’s revisit a blog post from 2020, when Confident Captain instructor Capt. Erica Bartos gave a breakdown of boat stability basics: Hello! Capt. Erica here with a brief overview of stability. For my off-season job, […]
Book Review: Dead Men Tapping by Kate Yeomans
The true story of a preventable tragedy at sea — and the lives that were lost in the waiting. In the early hours of September 5, 1996, the fishing vessel Heather Lynne II was struck and capsized by a tugboat and its 272-foot barge off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. What followed was a nightmare. Trapped beneath […]
Who’s Who at Confident Captain: Meet Captain Kent
If you’re new to Confident Captain, welcome aboard. You might be wondering who I am and who is behind the Confident Captain brand. My name is Captain Kent Dresser, and I’ve spent the last 30 years navigating the waters—both literally and professionally—to help mariners like you build successful careers at sea. Like many of you, […]
Book Review: The Confessions of a Rum-Runner by Eric Sherbrooke Walker
A Captain’s Take on a Classic Smuggling Tale I knew I was in for a good read when I hit the first chapter and found out that Walker’s career in rum-running started at a nautical training center for captains. As the owner of a legitimate training facility for the past 20+ years, I had to […]
Too Busy to Get Your Captain’s License? Here’s How to Fit It Into Your Life (Without Losing Your Sanity)
You’re busy. I get it. Between work, family, and everything else life throws at you, finding time to earn your Captain’s License might seem impossible. But here’s the thing—busy people get it done all the time. If you’re dreaming of upgrading your skills, launching a new career, or finally making your time on the water […]
Confident Captain Alumni: Erica Bartos
Capt. Erica has a variety of experience on ships all over New England and the Caribbean but is also an educator with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. For the past thirteen years, Erica has been teaching middle and high school science and math while also working in the marine industry. She […]
Success on Your Schedule: Why You Should Take Online Captain’s License Courses with a Coaching Program
Many find the thought of returning to a classroom unappealing, which can discourage them from pursuing further education or career advancement. For others, busy lives filled with family, work, and personal obligations make it seem impossible to fit in. Today’s marine professionals require licensing courses that accommodate their demanding schedules. That’s why those pursuing a […]
Confident Captain Alumni: Where are they now? Fred Roy
Fred Roy is a lifelong sailor and a marine-industry professional. He recently completed Confident Captain’s courses for the 100-ton captain’s license exam, as well as for the sailing and towing endorsements. Despite his wealth of seafaring knowledge, Fred found that these courses helped him to learn even more, stay sharp, and successfully pass his exams. […]
