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Why did I become a minister?
I was in the seminary to become a Catholic Priest when I was a young man. I decided later in life that wasn't for me even though I respect the Catholic Religion very much. After obtaining my Captains license, (making a long story short) someone asked me to marry them as a Captain. I became an Nondenominational Ordained Minister so I could marry people legally. I also Baptize and officiate at Funerals.
What makes me a good minister?
I accept my responsibility for officiating at important events in peoples lives with the same caring and regard as I do when I'm in the Wheelhouse of a boat.
I have "one chance and one chance only" to make someone's special day, just that, "special." When someone hires me, they get all of me. I treat everyone with the same caring regardless of how much money their going to spend.
Is there an advantage to being a Captain and a Minister?
When this country was young as many people were married by Sea Captains as Ministers. The long voyage to the New World took several weeks. It was not fashionable at that time for a man an woman to enjoy the privilege of each others company without being married. Captains at that time had the same status as a Minister to join couples as one through Matrimony. I take that tradition very seriously. In summary, the Captain could command the vessel and marry people. The Minister could marry the people but not necessarily command the vessel.
Why did I become Become a Captain?
I fell in love with boating when I was eleven living on the Mississippi River. I knew by watching the riverboat pilots and seeing how they managed to control the boats in the fast current that I would someday welcome that challenge. The ocean has as many challenges as any river with the added awe of it's expanse.
What makes me a good Captain?
Some of the Dinner boats and Express boats I command can hold 200+ passengers each. That's as many fair paying passengers as a large jet plane. I feel the passengers on my boat expect the same concern for their safety and when they are on a plane. I expect my crew to feel the same or they won't be part of my team.
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