Learn English – the correct verb for ‘driving’ a ferry

collocationverbs

The captain of a ferry appears to steer or drive it. What is the correct verb for this?

Best Answer

Captain is a verb; and pilot is a possibility too, although that has a specific meaning with regard to ships [a shipping pilot is usually someone who is locally skilled and will successfully negotiate hazards around a harbour].

captain
verb [with object]
be the captain of (a ship, aircraft, or sports team):
   all the boats are captained by professional sailors
noun
the person in command of a ship

pilot verb (pilots, piloting, piloted)
[with object]
be the pilot of (an aircraft or ship):
   he piloted the helicopter from Paris to Deauville
noun
a person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft

[ODO]

A captain (as well as captaining) navigates (guides it over its route):

navigate verb
2 [with object] sail or travel over (a stretch of water or terrain), especially carefully or with difficulty:
   ships had been lost while navigating the narrows
   the drivers skilfully navigated a muddy course
  • [no object] (of a ship or boat) sail; proceed:
      [with adverbial of direction]:
      we sailed out while navigating around large icebergs
  • guide (a vessel or vehicle) over a specified route or terrain:
      she navigated the car safely through the traffic

[ODO]

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