Ferry Captain's Wedding Powers: Legit Or A Hoax?

Getting married on a ferry sounds like a dream come true for many couples. The romantic notion of a wedding at sea has been popularized by movies and TV shows, but is it actually possible? Well, it turns out that a ferry captain can, in fact, perform a wedding ceremony, but there's a catch. While a ferry captain does have the authority on a ship, this power does not extend to performing marriages at sea or on dry land unless they also hold a specific qualification. In the United States, for example, a captain must be a judge, a minister, or an officially recognized officiant like a Notary Public to legally marry a couple. So, if you're planning a wedding at sea, make sure your captain is qualified, or you might need to think again!

Ferry captains can't marry people by virtue of their maritime licence alone

While ferry captains are the highest authority on their vessels, their power only extends so far. In this case, not far enough to officiate a wedding. A ferry captain cannot marry people by virtue of their maritime licence alone. This means that a ferry captain can only perform a wedding if they are also qualified to do so under the laws of the state in which they are operating.

In the United States, each state has its own list of job titles that permit someone to solemnise a marriage. These typically include judges, ministers, mayors, and similar officials. No US state has specifically listed "sea captains" or "ship captains" as a job title that permits someone to officiate a wedding. The US Navy has explicitly stated that "The commanding officer shall not perform a marriage ceremony on board his ship or aircraft".

There are some exceptions to this rule. In some states, like California and Massachusetts, a sea captain could come ashore and file for a 24-hour marriage-performing permit. Additionally, an organisation called the Universal Life Church claims that every US state except Pennsylvania and Virginia will legally recognise marriages performed by one of its clergy members. These clergy members are mostly regular people who paid a small fee online to become "ordained".

If a ferry captain is also a judge, a justice of the peace, a minister, or an officially recognised officiant, they may be able to perform a wedding. For example, captains of Princess Cruise ships Golden Princess, Star Princess, and Grand Princess may perform weddings on board as they have Bermuda licenses to perform weddings.

So, while it may be possible for a ferry captain to officiate a wedding in certain circumstances, it is not solely by virtue of their maritime licence.

Ferry captains can marry people if they fall into one of the categories of persons qualified to solemnise marriages

While a ferry captain does not have the legal right to officiate a wedding by virtue of their maritime license alone, they can marry people if they fall into one of the categories of persons qualified to solemnize marriages. Each US state has its own list of people whose job titles allow them to solemnize marriages, and these typically include judges, ministers, mayors, and similar officials. For example, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, these qualified persons include active or retired justices, judges, or magisterial district judges of the Commonwealth; active, senior, or retired bankruptcy judges of the United States Bankruptcy Courts who are residents of the Commonwealth; mayors of any cities or boroughs of the Commonwealth; and ministers, priests, or rabbis of any regularly established church or congregation.

In some states, like California and Massachusetts, a person can file for a temporary marriage-performing authorization at their local courthouse. Additionally, the Universal Life Church claims that marriages performed by one of its clergy members, who can be regular people who paid a small fee online to be ordained, are legally recognized in every state except Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Furthermore, some cruise lines, such as Princess Cruise, have captains with Bermuda licenses to perform weddings, allowing them to officiate weddings aboard ship and at sea. These weddings are legally recognized in Bermuda and The Bahamas, but it is important to check with local governmental authorities in your home country to see if they will also recognize the marriage.

Ferry captains can marry people in 11 US states and many foreign ports if the couple are same-sex seafarers

It is a common misconception that sea captains can officiate weddings. In fact, in 11 US states and many foreign ports, a sea captain can only marry another seafarer if they are both of the same sex. This means that a ferry captain cannot legally marry two people unless they are a qualified officiant, such as a judge, justice of the peace, minister, or notary public.

In the US, each state has its own list of job titles that are authorised to solemnise marriages, and so far, none of them include "sea captain". However, there are some workarounds for captains who want to officiate weddings. For example, in some states like California and Massachusetts, a captain can go ashore and file for a temporary licence to perform a marriage. Alternatively, the Universal Life Church claims that every state but Pennsylvania and Virginia will legally recognise marriages performed by its clergy members, which can include sea captains who have paid a small fee to be ordained.

Even if a sea captain is qualified to perform a wedding, there may be additional requirements depending on the location of the ceremony. For example, some cruise lines require the couple to leave the ship and swear before a judge that all their paperwork is in order before returning to the ship for their wedding. It is important to check the specific requirements of the port or cruise line before planning a wedding at sea.

Ferry captains can't marry people in the US Navy or British Navy—both have explicitly banned it

While ferry captains can perform weddings in certain jurisdictions, this is explicitly banned in the US Navy and the British Navy.

In the US Navy, a captain's powers are defined by its 1913 Code of Regulations, which states:

> "The commanding officer shall not perform a marriage ceremony on board his ship or aircraft. He shall not permit a marriage ceremony to be performed on board when the ship or aircraft is outside the territory of the United States."

However, there may be exceptions "in accordance with local laws and the laws of the state, territory, or district in which the parties are domiciled" and "in the presence of a diplomatic or consular official of the United States, who has consented to issue the certificates and make the returns required by the consular regulations."

In the United Kingdom, the captain of a merchant ship has never been permitted to perform marriages. While a ship's master can conduct a church service, regardless of any clergy aboard, they are not permitted to legally marry people.

While ferry captains may be able to perform weddings in certain jurisdictions, this is explicitly banned in the US Navy and the British Navy, with specific regulations in place to prevent it.

Ferry captains can marry people in some countries, like Japan, but only if the couple has valid passports from that country

Getting married on a boat is a dream for many couples. The romantic image of a ceremony at sea has been popularised by films and TV shows, but the reality is a little more complicated. While a ferry captain does not have the legal right to officiate a wedding at sea, there are some exceptions.

In certain countries, like Japan, a ferry captain can legally marry a couple, but only if the couple has valid passports from that country. This means that for many people, a wedding at sea performed by a ferry captain is not a legal option. However, some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, offer wedding packages where the captain can officiate. This is because the captains have Bermuda licenses to perform weddings, and these are recognised under EU law.

To complicate matters further, the laws of the country where the ship is registered, as well as the local laws, have the final say on whether a marriage at sea is recognised. So, even if a ferry captain can legally marry a couple, the marriage might not be recognised in the couple's home country.

For those with their hearts set on a wedding at sea, it is important to do thorough research. One option is to have a civil ceremony at home to obtain a legally binding marriage license, and then have an informal ceremony on a boat or ship with a captain who is authorised to perform weddings. This way, the legalities are taken care of, and the couple can still enjoy their dream wedding.

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