Why are captains of ships allowed to marry people?

Question

Under what authority, etc. Are the marriages considered to be legal and binding once that couple returns home?

Answer 1

The Captain of a ship....since it's at sea...in international waters, is also given the power of magistrate to settle disputes aboard his vessel.  That includes the power to marry a COUPLE.  Just like going to the Justice of the Peace.

Loved some of the stupid answers you got!

Answer 2

My guess would be because the ship might sink, so if they are in danger, they might want to die married.  So if a priest isn't onboard.....

Answer 3

Captain were granted the power so they could give the eulogy in case one of the crew members died & were buried at sea. This grant also allows them to marry people.

Answer 4

They are not, unless the ship captain is recognized as a JP or minister in the jurisdiction that you wish to record your marriage.

Answer 5

Even though it is believed to be a regular event, a ship's captain generally doesn't have the legal right to perform a wedding at sea. In order for a Captain of a ship to perform a marriage at sea, he must be a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister or an officially recognize officiant such as a Notary Public.

Through Bermuda law, and because the captains have Bermuda licenses to perform weddings, captains aboard Princess Cruise's "Golden Princess" and the "Grand Princess" can perform weddings aboard ship and at sea.

Legal ceremonies cannot be performed while at sea.

The bridal couple is responsible for obtaining a valid marriage license.

Answer 6

Did you get that from pirates of the caribian?

Answer 7

just like a pastor u still get a marriage license

Answer 8

Here's the 411: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_...

Answer 9

they are human after all and can get terribly lonely

Answer 10

Why wouldn't a captain get married?

There just people, its not the same thing as priest.

Answer 11

It was born out of naval/ maritime tradition since ships are at sea for large amounts of time isolated from normal municipalities and clergy available to land-dwelling persons. The exact historical origin of this practice is unknown to me, but it survives to this day, and yes, they are legally binding.

  You silly people: she meant the captain performs the ceremony!

Answer 12

Similar to a registry office i suppose. Seems a weird thing for a sea captain to do.