100Ton Licensed Captain - Not Hired as captain

Is your holding a certificate a condition of employment?

I would have bet on that.

"I've accepted a job as the sole crew member"

What were you hired as? What did the ad say or what did you approach him as? Was he looking for a captain or just some guy to work on his boat? Did you approach him as as a licensed master?

Hi,

Hopefully he would be fully mobile with 2 legs and need a pair of shoes not just the single one

what if the cook just happens to have a ticket?

is he/she somehow responsible for what does or doesn't occur on the bridge?

With most lawyers I think you'll find that his answer will hinge of whether he represents the plaintiffs, the defendent or the government. Very few lawyers will answer a question such as this without a lot of "if" and "unless". The fact is that anybody can sue for anything. Just the cost of defending would bankrupt most captains I know, even if they won.

You're the license in charge and you're the one who screwed up. It's all on you. She just your agent. In fact you're on the line if she screws up. With the OP he's the only license. The question is whether he can claim no responsibility, turning the responsibility over to an unlicensed owner. I very often turn the helm over to others, but I'm running the boat from wherever I am. If that person screws up and I can't stop them I consider it on me. My job, my responsibility. I've been cautioned many times by coasties and PD saying they'd never let anybody take the helm.

If you guys can't sleep at night for worrying, contact these guys:

MOPS Marine License Insurance

Yep. It's rare that a 100GT Master is hired with no consideration of the license in the hiring decision.

from what i've seen in the past, most jobs were filled by personality,not a license.......

exception being..
1. C.G. required

2. Insurance Co. required

3. owner getting that 10% off his premium

Sorry salty, but you're wrong. People don't hire on the water by going to the Dept. of Labor or the local labor pool. They get a captain recommended to them or one walks up the dock and introduces himself as a captain. That may be the last time his license is discussed unless the boat is transported (insurance requirement), but it's what got the guy on board. Any other discussion about the license can only lead to more pay. However, if lawyers or authorities get involved following an incident you better believe that the license will be front and center in the discussions about liability and responsibility.

I'd be interested to hear how the owner introduces the OP to his guest and friends. Does he say 'This is a kid I hired to care for the boat' or does he say 'This is my captain'?

(BTW OP, my inbox was full so your last PM never made it here. It's clear now.

Step one should a contract, as always preferably one that that spells out the responsibilities.

In a case like this where because of an existing license additional liabilities are assumed/feared it may make sense to spell out specific non responsibilities too. (And then stay away from them unless there is an genuine emergency!)