Captain License blog

[B~C]

I'm in the pursuit of a OUPV Near Costal and an Inland Master 25 ton license. I thought a blog of the mental anguish may prove helpful to somebody that is pondering licensing.
Here's what I have done so far;

research, this web site has tons of info http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/

Call local CG licensing center and had them send me an application packet.

Looked over packet and went and found help, signed up for school...here.. http://www.maritimetesting.com/new_page_2.htm this guy really knows the in & outs and does a helluva job

Documented sea time, this consists of filling out a form for each boat that you've owned and how many days you used it. You can record time clear back to when you where 16. To prove ownership and years of ownership, I sent one of these off to Olympia http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420531.htm and they sent me back a record of all the tubs I've owned .. and it was free.

I have yet to get the official physical and drug test...the C.G.is very persnickety about having the correct tests done. They send you the forms for these tests in the application packet (I think I may be able to pass these tests)

Started schooling, first up was preparation for the 30 question Rules of the Road test. I got all learnt up on lights, sounds and all that good stuff. You pretty much have to memorize the C.G. book for the different lights and sounds the various vessels make. It was tough, I learned a ton and have passed the test. No way in hell would I have passed without the training materials and tutorage recieved at the above linked school.

Am now working on preparing for a 10 question navigation test that involves chart use. I've been straining my brain and working on charting courses dealing with wind, current and compass corrections...I hope to tackle that test this week and move on to the test for general navigation.

more to follow

team dazed & confused

[TyBoo]

Very good, B~C. How much is the whole shebang costing you? There has to be some fees for the license and schooling? I wonder how you're paying for that?

I hope you get get learned up real good and real fast, because according to Mr. Monroe, we're going Near Costal salmon fishing Saturday and Sunday.

Far out. And congrats on having whatever it is you have to undertake this.

[B~C]

Thanks, the school is not real cheap but included in the cost are all the tests. You don't have to go to the C.G. to test, all the testing is done at the school. The C.G. still hits you with some admistrative fees. I'm working overtime to pay for it all

[JamesTXSD]

When I got my OUPV lic several years ago, the class was $499, the GC fee was $140 (I think), drug test and physical ($75), fingerprinting (local police station $15), postage/copies for mailing out references ($2), Red Cross course ($40)... and finally getting that license - priceless!

JamesTX/SD (still a sailorboy, still lookin')

[Sealife]

One of the toughest tests I ever took was the NAV Rules to qualify for my Coxwain rating with the CG. 30 questions and you can only miss 3 to pass. Congratulations on passing first time.....most people do not.

Mike - Sealife

[B~C]

Thanks Mike, I suppose it helps to have one of them there pornographic memories.

James, the price is a bit higher but still I think a good value... keep looking, somewhere there's C-Dory looking for a good home

Hopefully this thread will demonstrate that even a putz such as myself can do this and provide an outline of the required steps...I hope it will be useful to somebody

[Sea Wolf]

B-C

The licensing sounds like quite an endeavor, especially for an old boat junkie like you!

So what's in your future with the license? A new TC255 and a charter fishing business ? Retirement plans? Must be some good reason to invest all that $$$! Joe.

[B~C]

that comment you made about turning that scow into a floating bordello got me to thinking

[B~C]

Just finished the chart test. It contained 10 questions on chart use; chart reading, ETA, compass corrections, course setting with cross currents and windage, three bearing fixes. Next up the 30 question general navigation test, I hope to knock it out before the end of the week.

[Island Ranger]

Good going..

I received my 50 ton Masters (with Sail & Tow endorsements) in May this year. The endorsements added two more tests to the pile, but they were a piece of cake compared to the Rules test. I decided to attend a school (US Maritime Academy) which was 8 weeks, 4 hours a night, 3 nights a week in total - and was held in Oak Harbor. We had about 15 people in the class - it cost ~$1200 if I remember correctly. For me, it was ~ 1 hour commute each way.. a little tiring especially coming home at night. I have really grown to like this retirement stuff!

Although the class added a ton of cost, I don't think I could ever have passed the rules section without it. I really learned a ton - especially from all the old salts in the class. I continue to meet with several of them, and perhaps may pick up a charter job or two in the future...

Mac

[/list]

[Captains Cat]

I'm sure things have changed since I last looked (15-20 years ago) but when I did look last, I found that even though I'd been a chief engineer on a 1200 psi Steam Guided Missile Destroyer, Boiler officer/Electrical Officer on an Aircraft Carrier, degrees in Naval Engineering, etc, etc with 30 years of experience, I couldn't qualify for anything because I wear eyeglasses (corrected to 20/20).

Have things changed? I'm not looking for another job at this point but it'd be intesting to have the tickets...

Charlie

[B~C]

great going Mac, that's a pretty healthy jaunt to get to class. I think it would be extremly dificult to make it through these tests with a attending a class of some kind....retirement? that's kind of what I'm working on, a fun summer job that can help supplement the retirment fund ( if I can ever afford to retire)

Charlie- It looks to me like with 20-40 corrected or 20-200 uncorrected you're good. check here... http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/get-cfr.cgi?TITLE=46&PART=10&SECTION=205&YEAR=2002&TYPE=TEXT

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[Island Ranger]

To get the inland waters ticket, you need 365 sea days (anything greater than 4 hours under way in a day is a sea day), and 90 of them have to be in the last 3 years. I forget the details (could look 'em up of course!), but you need a bunch of documented time outside certain demarcation lines to get near coastal or ocean and another 365 days of sea time.

But a masters ticket is just required for inspected vessels - you can operate an uninspected vessel (6 passenger max) in any waters with the OUPV (operator of uninspected vessel)

Oh, and corrected vision is fine - you will be required to carry a spare pair of glasses....

mac

[B~C]

I read conflicting info on the six pack or OUPV license. I've read of several different flavors, limited (you're limited to your local waters) Inland (good on any inland waters) or Near Coastal (good anywhere) to get the near coastal you need 365 days and you can reach clear back to age 16 for the 365 with 90 of the 365 days needing to be outside in the last 3 years.

Today it was time to tackle the;

General navigation test- 30 questions covering charts, compass use, aids to navigation, navigation, weather and weather patterns. The following books can be used; Coast Pilot, Light List, Chart #1, Tide and Current and Bowditch.
Many questions can be found in the books, some things you must know. On all of these test one must read VERY carefully as the questions are worded to provide maximum anguish. On all of these 30 question tests you can only miss three and still pass.

Got'er done, next up will be the last test, Deck & safety. 90 questions on boat handling, rigging, anchoring, stability, fire fighting, first aid and marine regulations constitute this bad boy.
The bright spot is that only a 70 percent is needed to pass and you can use the Reg book.