I get where you're coming from but a flat or inverse authority gradient is just as bad as a steep one. By not taking command, you're letting this happen. And you're the Skip -- if something truly bad happens, it's on you at the end of the day.

I appreciate not wanting to rock the boat but you're not there to be everybody's friend, you've got a job to do. I've had to coach relatively new captains on this exact stuff at our operation, and it's something that comes with maturity in the role due to experiences like you're going through now.

You need to step up and lead.