Films and stories paint the captain in vivid colours. The reality is a little different.
Myth 1: "The captain must go down with the ship."
Fact: No international rule forces a captain to go down with the ship. The Master being among the last to leave is a tradition and a sign of responsibility, but survival matters, and a surviving master can support rescue and investigation.
Myth 2: "The captain steers all the time."
Fact: The Master is mostly in a management role: passage plans, decisions, reports, safety and communication with the company. The helm is usually held by a helmsman or the autopilot. The Master is more active on the bridge in narrow waters, when entering port and in emergencies.
Myth 3: "The pilot takes over the ship."
Fact: The pilot advises with local knowledge of the waters and traffic, but the Master remains responsible for the safety of the ship. So the Master and bridge team must stay alert while following the pilot's advice.
Myth 4: "A captain can marry anyone on board."
Fact: This is a popular story. In practice the power to marry depends on the laws of the countries and flags concerned, and captains are generally not given such authority. Check the relevant law in any specific case.
Myth 5: "The captain can do whatever they like."
Fact: The Master has wide authority and the priority in safety decisions, but is bound by law, conventions and company procedures. The authority is large, and so is the responsibility.
Conclusion
Being a Master is less a romantic title than a heavy responsibility. See our series on shipboard hierarchy for the wider picture.
For legal matters, rely on the competent authority and a lawyer.