On Board with Instagram’s Qualified Captain
Aaron Stasiak’s Popular Boating Platform Captures the Craziest On-The-Water Action
Captain Aaron Stasiak didn’t set out to become a social media celebrity. While today, The Qualified Captain has nearly 2 million followers on Instagram, it began with a simple, good-hearted mission: to provide boating education. In 2016, Stasiak had noticed that during his workdays out on the water along the North Carolina coast, he was constantly coming across uninformed boaters during his workdays. He launched an Instagram page to showcase and spread awareness of these comical yet often quite dangerous incidents, and The Qualified Captain took off.
A video showing someone who didn’t winterize their jet ski and tried to rice through ice. A raging boat fire, sunken sailboats, pontoon crashes. The Qualified Captain captures the on-the-water encounters that you don’t get to see. People couldn’t get enough of these educational and entertaining boating fails, growing into a brand that makes boating safety digestible, engaging, and most importantly, informative.
What was once just a social media page is now a national platform consisting of a podcast, apparel, and an active community. We spoke to Stasiak to learn a little bit more about just who exactly The Qualified Captain really is—and what’s next for him and his brand.
The Wake Edit: What first drew you to boating? Have you always known you wanted to be a captain?
Aaron Stasiak: I’ve always loved the water, and growing up along the coast, we had many friends and families with boats. I remember really enjoying those weekends on the boats and just hanging around the docks and looking at all the different style boats. I never really thought it would end up being a career.
TWE: You developed a strong social media presence surrounding boating education (and beyond!). How did you first start your Instagram and were you hoping for it to become what it has?
AS: I first started this page as a joke while working on the water at a local marina, and while working as a tow captain. All the crazy things my co-workers and I saw just blew our minds, and we started posting the content on social media. I had no idea it would turn into what it has become. Once I started taking this on as a full time job—that’s when I tried to mix education with entertainment.
TWE: Where is your favorite place to go boating, and what is your favorite type of boat to drive?
AS: My favorite place to go boating is anywhere outside of cell phone service, with good fishing, and good weather. Also anywhere with blue water and good visibility for diving. My favorite type of boat to drive is any Onslow Bay center console. I also like ripping around older Boston Whaler montauks
TWE: What is next for The Qualified Captain? Where do you hope to be in the next 5, 10 years?
AS: I am hoping we can continue to entertain people, but also build a broader media channel that exposes everything in the boating and maritime industry—from lifestyle, careers, sports, fishing, sailing, research, safety, travel, etc… The list goes on. If we can simply make boat owners more educated and save lives on the water, I’ll be happy!Â
Keep up with @thequalifiedcaptain and his on-the-water adventures.
