UTMC

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Sysyphus?

Well, before the inevitable Moby Dick quip, I think we should remember the day and age we live in and Let Ahab beware of Ahab.

Also, that's a fine looking piece of ship that, at least to my utterly untrained and land-lubbing eyes.

I don't really want any part of that. We made the sails for all the little whaleboats, that's enough for me. The qualifications they're asking for are fair; the scope of my license supersedes that but the 10-year command of traditional vessel clause limits it to a few select individuals, all of whom I know personally or professionally.
They'll find someone, rest assured.
Hell, since nobody reads this, I'm going to say it's either going to be Kip Files, Richard Bailey, Walter Rybka, Dan Moreland, or possibly Red Shannon but I think he's retired.
Kip is a contender, but he also runs a seasonal business that I doubt he'd be willing to give up to do this.
Bailey is qualified, but difficult to get along with and I peg him as a likely candidate because he's more available.
Walter is also qualified, has my vote, is a colleague, and would be the best choice. He however is ailing w/ a debilitating condition. I think he could pull it off, though.
Dan might be busy in the South Pacific, and doesn't have the tolerance for media circuses.
So, there you have it.

Thanks, it's good to get the inside scoop!

From my friend Dierdre:

Mystic Seaport named Richard “Kip” Files of Rockland, Maine, as the new captain of the 19th-century whaleship Charles W. Morgan, which will venture back to sea next summer to visit historic ports of New England celebrating the importance of America’s maritime heritage. At the conclusion of a 5-year, multi-million dollar restoration at the Museum’s Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard, Files will take the Morgan on an approximately three-month voyage from May to August 2014 in Southern New England waters. As the owner and captain of the 132-foot, three-masted schooner Victory Chimes out of Rockland, Files is no stranger to sailing large ships without an engine. He is also the primary captain of the 207-foot barque Elissa, owned and operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation and Texas Seaport Museum. Files holds a USCG Master Ocean License for Inspected Passenger Vessels of up to 1600 Gross Tons. He has been a master of traditional sailing vessels since 1978. Files will arrive at Mystic Seaport to start work on November 11. He will be charged with hiring the Morgan’s crew and preparing and equipping her for the 38th Voyage. The Morgan was launched in New Bedford, MA, in 1841 and had a whaling career of 80 years and 37 voyages that spanned the far reaches of the globe.

He's kind of a weird dude, but totally suited to the job. Glad he got it.