He has a good, tight crew, and they manage to keep the ship afloat.

There is a ship afloat without a captain,

You cannot sink someone else's end of the boat and still keep your own afloat.

On the Good Ship Lollipop.

My ship was also in better condition than when she sailed from Boston on her long voyage. She was still as sound as a nut, and as tight as the best ship afloat. She did not leak a drop - not one drop!

It's the right thing to do. He is the captain of the ship and it needs to be said. Somebody has to stand up and say what needs to be said.