It's a good question Burnin Daylight - I would have to image that a captain who has registered their business either as a DBA or LLC would have rights to that name within that state. Of course I am no expert in this field but my recommendation would be to register the business name or at least check to make sure no one else in your state has already taken it. Registering the name might still not stop others from trying to use the same thing but at least you will have the legal rights to fight it if you choose.