Captain License blog

Mr. Fisherman · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:05 pm Post subject:

Well done Ken. Soon we can call you Captain Blog Laughing

I wish I could afford all those classes as I am interested too and might have a fair share of that there off shore experience Wink

B~C · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:08 pm Post subject:

ya can call me what you want, just don't call me late for dinner Smile

Me thinks the cost of this class will be recouped many times over years.

B~C · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 5:51 pm Post subject:

I got sidetracked by vacation and fishing but I finaly made it down to school today and knocked out that last test ( Deck & Safety), what a bastard. I now have a certificate that says I've completed the tests for the Near Costal Master 100 ton license. The certificate is valid for one year, so, between now and next August I have to get a physical and turn in the forms. I'll recieve a lesser license than what I tested for as I"m short on time, big boat time in particular, if I log the time all I have to do is a quick form for a license upgrade.

Summary- it's doable, it takes some dedication, find a school or some good study materials, even if you don't get a license you'll learn a bunch about boating

Sea Wolf · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:43 pm Post subject:

Ken-

CONGRATULATIONS, SKIPPER ( 0R MASTER, CAPTAIN, PILOT, ETC.)!!!

Sounds like you've really made the grade(s). No small accomplishment, all kidding aside. Joe.

Mr. Fisherman · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2005 10:45 pm Post subject:

Congratulations!
So... what did you learn about concrete life savers and your brother in laws ability to float?

Would you take this course again if you had to?
How much time did you actually spend to get it done and can you share what your final cost was?

A proud day I am sure, congrats.
I guess I am more about working on the practical hours Wink

I am co-piloting a 47 footer tomorrow on an overnight trip.
Wish us luck cause I am gonna have to pilot Teeth

DaveS · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:24 am Post subject:

AK Angler · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:53 am Post subject:

Kudos Ken. Given the difficulty of the exams and your passing of each of them on the first try, it sounds like you really know your stuff. Good job. May it serve you well. Thumbs Up

gljjr · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 3:04 am Post subject:

Congrat Capn! I'm sure your hard work will pay off big time.

B~C · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 1:04 pm Post subject:

thanks folks, I was sure glad to finish this up before school started back up as it is a time consuming process. Hopefully, in the summers to come I can make a few dollars as a result of this summers anguish.
Ray,
the concrete lifesavers raise the CoG and severely reduce the metracentric heigth, if GM is lower the the CoG a turtling action takes place and the in-law will sink, at that point a racetrack turn would be in order followed by a waving of the hand. ( I jest, I like the in-law, he's always a hoot and a good source of entertainment)

Yes I would take the coures again, it cost $750 which is much less than many other schools. That cost covers the cost of the C.G. tests ($95) plus, you needn't buy any books, plus it will save you on boat insurance. If you pencil it all out, it's a reasonable cost to become a more knowledgeable boater. A person could purchase study guides and go it alone but I feel the guidance, not just in the material, but, also in the process was well worth the $$
The course is listed as a 189 hour course but is completed at your own pace with a fair amount of flexibility. I was able to study at home for a fair chunk of it, the chart work and some other parts needs to be done at the facility.
If you plan on pursuing a Near Coastal license you need to be able to document 90 days outside the demarcation line in the last three years, so outside time is important. You need a form CG 719S for every vessel you spend time on, if it isn't your vessel, the owner or master must sign it. I'm fortunate that I have summers off and have spend a good chunk of time in Ilwaco playing outside so the 90 days wasn't to hard to scare up... enjoy your tuna run and get that CG 719S signed ...

and to think, I couldn't even spell Bouy 10 & beyond until Mike started pumping the kids head full of big fish stories, if it wasn't for that I'd still be happy bass fishing Smile

B~C · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 5:08 pm Post subject:

Finally got the physical & drug test done, it was off the the USCG this morning where they relieved me of my stack of documents and $145, I should be getting a fancy paper in the mail in 4-6 weeks. If anybody is interested, I can bring applications to the SBS and try to help make sense of them ferya

lloyds · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:06 pm Post subject:

Congratulations BC. This is probably one of the hardest testing regimens anyone would ever have to go through. I passed my professional land surveyors tests in oregon and california, and they were much easier than the coast guard tests. I attended Sea School in Vancouver in preparation for a 100 ton inland masters series. I never tested because my employer sent me out of town right before I was to test, and I never picked it back up. It is much better now that you can test at the schools where you study. But the studying and memorization are grueling. After retirement I am going to attend the maritime academy there in ballard and finish it. Unfinished business.

B~C · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:41 pm Post subject:

bummer you couldn't do the tests will the material was fresh in the knoggin. It is pretty durn connvient to be able to test at the school but it's only a convience.....Surveying tests can't be a cake walk. I've got to ask if you went to O.I.T. to master your survey skills? Spousal unit & I are both OITers

ffheap · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:31 pm Post subject:

Up here in the Boston area, Boatwise runs one week schools. It goes from Friday Night, all day Saturday and Sunday, Monday through Friday night, and they review on Satrday, test on Sunday. Everybody passes, and the instructors are very good. Cost, about $1,200.00 to $1,400.00. For $50.00 a guy in Boston runs the paperwork through.

Lots of people are using them. I hope to do it before I die, which, hopefully, gives me plenty of time. (Finishing up the JN Course with the USPS, then the N Course.

Keep up the good work. Thank you for the info.

Fred Heap

TyBoo · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 8:39 pm Post subject:

Ain't that something, B~C? You went through all that time, expense and work just to be a captain, yet M said two little words all them years ago and has been an admiral ever since.

Congrats. I know this wasn't as easy as you try to make it sound.

B~C · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 9:52 pm Post subject:

Fred, thanks, I hoped the info would be helpfull for somebody that was thinking about the process.

Mike, Admiral? hell try supreme comander.....I did have to study real hard for the drug test because I didn't know what to expect on the test as I've never used drugs Smile