Council of Captains
The Council of Captains is the formal representative council of those Families and companies that own five or more ships. Many of the council members are members of the Founding Families, but they are not the majority of members, and the council is dominated by the Merchant and Privateer companies which operate out of Toresta.
Structure
The council consists of an executive council of eight members. By long standing tradition two of these seats are held by representatives of the Founding Families, but not always the same families. Two more are from the privateer fleets. The rest are from the merchant companies.
Public Agenda
The purpose of the council is to set standards for ship operation and to give ship owners a collective organ by which they can negotiate with the Ten, who are responsible for the operation of Toresta's Depot, its major shipyard and port. The council negotiate fees, convoy dues, and repair costs with the city. Their goals are to minimize costs and maximize profits for their fleets.
Assets
History
The Council of Captains in its present form is a relatively new organization founded in 592 ATC. By this time the number of merchant fleet companies owned by individuals not part of the Founding Families was significant. Initially founded as a counterbalance to the Sapphire Journal, the council found that without some influence by members of the Founding Families they were likely to be forever prevented from attaining any level of influence. The compromise was to allow a limited amount of influence by the cities original families, while institutionally remaining independent of them.
