Ahoy matey. You might not realize this, but whatever high-tech gadget you're reading this on—be it smartphone, laptop, or giant fifty-inch TV you've turned into a monitor—was probably not built in the United States. We're sorry to break it to you. So how did your computing device (and a ton of other things you probably use all the time) get here?

Not by plane, that's for sure. While some goods do travel in the cargo holds of airplanes, the majority don't. With the cost of air travel these days, that free-with-a-contract bundled smartphone and unlimited data plan (we hope) would probably cost a fortune if it had to be flown here.

 

Thank one of these guys for your new iPhone. (Source)

It's much more likely that the goods coming to the United States are sent over on a boat.

All ships on the water have one thing in common (okay, so they have several things in common—buoyancy, propulsion, sweet names like Seas the Day—but we're making a point): they are all under the command of a special someone, and that someone typically goes by the title Captain. And typically that person makes about $72,000 per year—as long as they keep that boat afloat (also something all boats should do) (source). 

The title of Captain carries with it great authority and respect. You're in command. You're the boss, the head honcho, the big cheese. Think of all the great captains throughout history and imagine joining their ranks. Imagine your name being mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Captain Cook, Captain Phillips, Captain Nemo, and Cap'n Crunch. That's some pretty good company, eh?

Really though, being a sea captain is an enormous responsibility. You're in charge—which means the safety of your vessel, your crew, and your cargo are all on you. 

It means you're responsible for: knowing and following all maritime laws and regulations; understanding the mechanics and engineering of the ship; and navigating the ocean, its currents, and winds. Plus, like, just a ton of other things (source). Including a potential Sharknado. Always plan for the worst.

There are innumerable ships on the water, and while we can't possibly cover them all, there are some broad categories of which you ought to be aware.

Military
What most of us think of when we picture the captain of a ship is probably the senior officer of a naval vessel. Nowhere is the idea of sea command more real than on a U.S. Navy boat, and especially on blue-water ships (ships that go far from the coast into international waters).

 

Stop crying. What are you, children? (Source)

The captains of such ships aren't just military officers anymore; they're more like dictators of their own small, floating countries. The Coast Guard does this too, but, relative to the Navy skippers, they're more like the stern head coach of a football team.

Cruise Ship
Not quite the same shock and awesome as commanding an aircraft carrier or battleship, but these guys and gals still wield some serious power. Cruise lines are multi-billion-dollar outfits, and they don't entrust their ships to just anyone. 

Cruise captains may be in the profession of providing vacations, but they're also responsible for the safety and security of literally thousands of passengers, crew members, wait staff, dancers, spa attendants, and professional mermaids.

Charter Vessel
If you like the idea of being in command but you aren't the military type, or you want to take people places but don't really want to stray too far from home, then being the captain of a charter vessel is always an option. 

The captains of these boats are usually fishermen at heart who take paying customers (i.e. charters) out to sea for a few hours of whale-watching, coastal or river sightseeing, or sometimes totally unrelated activities like parties, proms, or poker, then bring them back in. Hang out around any commercial dock and you'll see (and probably smell) plenty of these folks.

Fishing Boat
Speaking of smelling like the high seas, another common type of ship is the deep sea fishing boat, similar to the kind featured in Deadliest Catch. These guys and their captains make a living sailing some of the roughest seas the ocean has to offer, all so we can enjoy our precious crab legs, lobster tails, and swordfish steaks.

Cargo Transport
Yet another kind of captain that cannot be overlooked is one who leads cargo transport ships. Modern life quite literally depends on them, even if you don't realize it. Oil, food, clothing, and almost every gift you've ever asked for has made its way around the globe on the backs of these massive ocean travelers.

So, the bottom line? If you want to spend your years bouncing around on the open sea, you've got options. Maybe it's time to look a little further into what sailing away means.

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