Norwegian Ships Captains

I am really not sure how to phrase this question but here goes. It has come to my attention that a Norwegian ships captain was captain of yet another ship other than the ships he left Norway on in 1880. If by chance he did not own this ship who this information show up in his records in Norway, similarily if there was a norwegian sailor on board this ship would his records in Norway be noted or would it have only been if the ship was Norwegian owned? I am sorry the question is long winded and I hope this sort of thing has not been asked before I would hate to offend anyone by asking yet another question that has been asked before. I hope I have the right section as well. Regards Kerrie Sydney Australia