Can a captain of a fishing boat marry a couple?

Question

Can a captain of a fishing boat marry a couple?

Answer 1

Licensed Captain...at sea...yes

Answer 2

Sea captains in the United States cannot now and have not ever been able to perform marriages at sea or anywhere else, unless they also happen to be recognized ministers or JPs or something. The same goes for sea captains in Britain and the Soviet Union.  However, in 1929 there was a case where a court upheld a marriage that was performed at sea by a sea captain - the case was Fisher vs Fisher.

There is a longstanding legal presumption that if two people think they got married, they did get married, even if the proceeding by which this was accomplished was suspect. On the other hand, judges have also felt that we can't let just anybody solemnize marriages - there have to be rules.

In many parts of the world "common law" is recognized as a legal marriage - all that is necessary is that both parties be free to marry, properly consent, cohabit, live together, and let the neighbors think they are married - and there is no 7 year requirement or anything like that.  What's not required are the services of a minister.

So the law is not really clear about this. It is not clear cut and probably each situation would have to evaluated individually.  What is clear is that it is not condoned in all countries for ship's captains to perform marriages.   However some ship's captains are authorized by their countries to perform marriages, as is sometimes the case with cruise ship captains of ships registered in Bermuda, and such marriages are recgonized internationally.

Here are a couple of informative links.   Thanks for asking the question - interesting to research.

Answer 3

Only if he could marry you ashore,  either a minister or justice of the peace etc.

Answer 4

First off The captain must be a licensed Captain, and only beyond the 10 mile limit

Answer 5

Depend on the fishing boat 10' or 900' and the registration.

Answer 6

Yes, but whether it is legally recognized would be determined by several criteria!

Answer 7

Sure. The Skipper married Mariann and the professor.

Answer 8

Sure it last the duration of the voyage>& If he is a notay>

Answer 9

As long as that boat is in International waters.

Answer 10

Yes, but the marriage might only be valid for the duration of the voyage. ;)

Answer 11

yes thats what I've heard

but they have to be out at sea

Answer 12

Under the law of the Marshall Islands, the Master (captain) can marry persons on their flagged vessels in International waters. It depends on the marine laws of the country the vessel is authorized to fly.