The organization comprises more than 300 members, all of whom hold U.S. Coast Guard captains’ licenses. Although most operate smaller vessels, such as tour boats, water taxis, and towboats, some carry unrestricted credentials that permit them to serve on oceangoing vessels. Others make their living as delivery captains and instructors.
Karen M. Holcomb, CAPCA’s outgoing president, says the overhaul is designed to make CAPCA better able to serve its members while at the same time broaden its role in the general maritime community. Based in Annapolis, CAPCA has members who operate throughout the East Coast of the United States.
The organization’s primary activities include:
- Operating an online job bank that serves as a clearinghouse for maritime businesses and individual boat owners to find a Coast Guard-licensed captain for specific job slots.
- Providing continuing education courses for members and non-members on a wide range of topics from renewal of captains’ licenses and Coast Guard-approved first aid, CPR, and AED requirements to how to handle medical emergencies at sea and operate a radar set.
- Offering mentoring and networking opportunities for members who are seeking to improve their skills or who are seeking new jobs as working captains.
- Presenting knowledgeable guest speakers at its monthly meetings, providing valuable information about topics that are key to professional development, and arranging field trips to maritime-related facilities and vessels.
CAPCA plans to beef up its participation in events such as the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation’s annual Marine and Maritime Career Fair and the annual Safety at Sea Seminar sponsored by the Marine Trades Association of Maryland. And it will help promote boating safety for recreational boaters.
CAPCA also has strengthened its membership recruiting program, expanded its continuing education program, developed a new advertising strategy, set up an online Ship’s Store, and speeded up the response time for its online help desk. It also has increased the discounts available to members. capca.net
