When you think of heroes, who do you see? What kind of people spring to mind? What roles do they play?

To many, doctors are heroes, for they cure what ails us and work to defeat death itself. Others may say police officers, who protect us from criminals and property theft. You may think of firemen, who use axes and dalmatians to fight the ever present scourge of fire. And yet others still may claim that soldiers are the true heroes, who fight for their beloved nation.

While all these answers may technically be true, I feel the bravest heroes our world has to offer often are overlooked. To me, these unsung champions face greater challenges and even greater dangers than any of those listed above.

I'm talking about the people who face the salty sea day after day, and yet remain unfazed.

I'm talking about the people who ride their mighty, metal floating steads from landmass to landmass without even breaking a sweat.

I'm talking about the people who proved the world wasn't flat, back when even scientists weren't sure.

I'm of course talking about sea captains, the noblest profession there is.

Before you laugh, I ask you this, where would we be without the sea captain? Where would we be without their guidance across the vast blue oceans that dominate the earth? Where would we be without their constant transporting of the goods we all rely on? Where would we be if they weren't there to ferry us, and our loved ones, across the deep blue abyss?

I'll tell you where we'd be, we'd be stuck.

We'd be stuck fighting the endless, merciless waves of the ocean with nothing but our pitiful, feeble bodies.

We'd be stuck throwing our packages into the sea, hoping they reach those they're intended for, and not more likely, the mouth of a hungry shark or a pirate's grasp.

We'd be stuck waking up, penniless, on random beaches without any idea as to how we got there.

But we're not stuck, we are moving, and we are shaking. All thanks to the sea captains that help keep this little ship called Earth afloat.

So the next time you see one of those pioneers of the deep blue, don't scowl or spit at your feet. Instead, offer them a warm smile, a firm handshake, an even firmer pat on the back (a sea captain's favorite place to be pat) and a warm can of soup. Maybe just give them some money?

Whatever you do, make sure it's kind. These people have done more than enough to earn it.