TL;DR
Owners tend to ask the same sensible questions: what credentials matter, how a captain works with their crew and insurer, how discretion is handled, and what it costs. I answer each below. There are no testimonials on this page yet — these are the questions I hear, in my own words.
This site does not have client testimonials yet, and I would rather leave the space honest than fill it with invented praise. What I can offer in the meantime is something I hope is just as useful: the questions owners ask me most often before they hire a captain, and how I answer them. None of what follows is a quotation from a client.
“What credentials should I look for?”
Start with the license. I hold a U.S. Coast Guard 200-Ton Master license and a 500-Ton International Tonnage Compliance (ITC) credential. Ask any captain you are considering to show you theirs, and confirm what it covers against your yacht and your cruising area. Credentials are the beginning of the conversation, not the end: experience on vessels of your size matters just as much.
“Will my insurer care who is at the helm?”
Often, yes. Insurers commonly have requirements about who may operate a yacht and with what experience. I cannot speak for your policy, so please ask your broker or insurer directly, in writing, before a captain takes command.
“How will you work with my crew and my yard?”
Quietly and clearly. I set expectations on day one, respect the people already aboard, and keep communication simple: what is planned, what has changed and what needs your decision. Whether I am running the yacht, joining for a passage or supporting an owner-operator, the aim is the same — you should notice the smooth result, not the effort behind it.
“How is discretion handled?”
Completely. Your guests, your itinerary and your yacht are private. I do not discuss owners’ business, and I expect to be trusted with it from the first conversation.
“I enjoy driving the boat myself. Do I still need a captain?”
Many owners do not need one every day. They call me for a long passage, a delivery, a hurricane move, a larger yacht they are stepping up to, or a few days of instruction. I offer private captaincy, deliveries and classes precisely because ownership looks different for everyone.
“Can you help before I buy?”
Yes. I attend buyer sea trials and offer purchase and survey guidance through consulting: what to look for on a viewing, how a yacht behaves underway, and what the survey findings mean in practical terms. It is far easier to ask these questions before the purchase than after.
“What will it cost?”
It depends on the yacht, the scope and the timing, so I give pricing on enquiry rather than quoting a number that may not fit your situation. Call or write with your vessel, dates and what you need, and I will respond with a clear answer.
“Do you work in Spanish?”
Yes. I am fluent in English and Spanish, and consultations, instruction and day-to-day communication with owners and crew are available in either language.
Share your story
If we have worked together and you would like to share your experience, I would be honored to hear it, and to publish it here with your permission and on your terms. Reach out through the contact page and tell me what you would like to say.
Frequently asked questions
What credentials does Captain JC hold?
Captain JC holds a U.S. Coast Guard 200-Ton Master license and a 500-Ton International Tonnage Compliance (ITC) credential, and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Can I hire a captain for a single trip?
Yes. A captain can be engaged for a single passage, a delivery, a hurricane move, a season or an ongoing relationship. Tell me what you need and I will suggest the right shape for it.
Does Captain JC have client testimonials?
Not yet. This site publishes no testimonials until clients choose to share their own experience. If you have worked with Captain JC and would like to contribute, contact him through the contact page.
Captain JC — Juan Carlos Castro II. USCG 200-Ton Master · 500-Ton ITC · English & Español. About Captain JC
This article is general guidance from one captain’s experience, not a substitute for your surveyor, insurer or the U.S. Coast Guard. Rules and requirements change; verify current ones before you rely on them.
