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Author Topic:   Captain's license

Arch Autenreith posted 02-12-2003 11:54 AM ET (US)
It's been a goal of mine for some time to work towards a Captain's license. Using Google I came across countless sites and became overwhelmed.
Pros/cons of a captain licens? Recommendations, insights or other discussions?
jimp posted 02-12-2003 02:32 PM ET (US)
Arch -
If you don't need one for work or if you aren't planning on becoming a charter skipper, it comes down to personal choice. There was a long thread a while back about "professionalism" which included a lot about licenses (last 6 months?). See if you can find it, though I bet you already have.
I'm sure the Classic Whaler Forum will be able to argue all sides of your question. Personal choice, its not what others think about your abilities (in most cases) but what you think about yourself. Self esteem, pride, accomplishment, confidence, etc. can all come from a license. But if you continue to run aground or ram the dock, or run over waterskiers, maybe a license doesn't prove a thing. When you look at what some of the "professionals" do, you sometimes wonder, "Where'd you get your license? Sears?" (No offense to Sears, just a line I've always liked for years.)
I'm arguing a similar question with where my daughter will go to college... private or public. Both have advantages, both provide excellent educations, both can help you get a job later. But what are my daughter's needs, what size school fits her, and where is she comfortable? All comes down to personal choice.
I also taught a 100-ton USCG approved licensing course. For students I had fishermen with over 35-years experience, kids just out of high school, lawyers, doctors, teachers, boaters, etc. Some needed the license for their job, but most wanted it for the feeling of accomplishment of meeting a challenge and beating it. An idle brain gets soft - challenge it.
FYI. After 23 years in the USCG, I got a license (before I got out). I used it for charter work for a while with my 22 Revenge WT, but now it sits on my wall. And that's OK.
I'd go for it.
JimP
bsmotril posted 02-12-2003 03:47 PM ET (US)
One thing to be aware of....If you get your license and start taking folks out on charters, Your Merc Warranty is voided and your recreational boating Insurance policy is likely voided. Check the fine print on both about commercial or for hire usage of the boat / motor. If you've got the seatime, then get one of the self study guides and go for it. You'll be a better and safer boater when it is all done.
BillS
BW23 posted 02-12-2003 05:04 PM ET (US)
http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/deck/upv.htm
Good Luck!!!!
STEPHEN posted 02-12-2003 07:11 PM ET (US)
Ive been kickin around the same idea.I'd probably just get the "6 pack" license.I think getting licensed for more then 6 passengers is more involved, extensive hours at sea needs to be documented.
Can't hurt I guess specially if I someday wanna live by the sea.
Steve
InHerNet posted 02-12-2003 08:55 PM ET (US)
You will learn more then you will ever use and some. If you plan on using your license for income then study hard and take the test. I went to Sea School for mine. I was going to charter for the tarpon season in Boca Grande and decided that I would rather fish myself and not work making everybody else happy. Now its just another piece of paper to add to the collection. Great experience learning how to chart and plot and identify a submarine light at night. For all that have been there will know what I mean. Good luck on your studies.
Don
jhill posted 02-12-2003 09:25 PM ET (US)
Go for it. I got mine just to be a better boater. If you can pass the 100 ton, like I did, it is great for the ego
logan posted 02-13-2003 03:39 AM ET (US)
I just got done with the 100 masters and need 3 more days at a boat over 25 gross and I will be certified up to 50 tons (I wanted to wait before I mentioned it to anyone but now seems fine). Technically speaking you cannot even take people out if they pay for any part of the trip unless you have a license. Not even beer or gas. You will learn so much on how to deal with traffic charting and the rest. You may even be able to get credit for the class from a community collage if you have a need for such things. As far as abilities go I have seen charter skippers who I would never get on a boat with, and people who look like they should not be let anywhere near a helm that I would have no doubts to there abilities.
Sea time for a six-pack is so easy. The form you send in has a bunch of blanks to fill in how many days and what not, and a line for someone to validate. Go for a tonnage license as apposed to just an OUPV (6 Pac) because it is easier to upgrade should you so desire.
Logan
Arch Autenreith posted 02-13-2003 09:58 AM ET (US)
jimp and all.
Thanks for the info and concur with all your thoughts. I thought I did remember another discussion but couldn't find it using "captain". I was just being lazy and will look more carefully again.
Don. Of equal importance to me is where to take it. With Sea School did you take it in a classroom or online? Being in the center of nowhere for class locations I'm leaning towards that option.
Arch
InHerNet posted 02-13-2003 03:05 PM ET (US)
Arch,
Sea School has a internet site www.seaschool.com
You can check to see if they have a class schedule near you. I took the class. 54 hrs.
Don
reelescape1 posted 02-13-2003 04:07 PM ET (US)
Arch, I went through Sea School about 1 1/2 years ago here in Chas. SC. I earned my OUPV (6 pack) license. I thought it was great!! The instructor was very thorough. Basically they prepare you to take the CG test which they also administer. The class (its all classroom instruction) was brutal!! We went Sat + Sun 8 hours, Mon-Fri 4 1/2hours, Sat-Sun 8 hours again....then you schedule testing. Make lots of flash cards to study before the tests...if I can help you, e-mail me.
4whaler posted 02-14-2003 11:02 AM ET (US)
I did Sea School, twice, it was free the 2nd time. I let to much time go by before trying to take the USCG exam. So I did a walk in to another class to brush up. They drill you for the exam and have some neat memory drills that you'll need to take the actual exam. I took the tonage test instead of the 6pax exam in the USCG building in NY Harbor next to the ferry building that I came over on from NJ, it was right under the World Trade towers, which were still there then. Damn bitch of a test. 30 of us were there at 8AM and the test ended at 4PM with no break. 4 modules the Rules of the Road w/ lights and signals portion was closed book (memory drills here). Sea School teaches you to sit down and do a memory dump on a clean peice of paper as soon as you start the test to use as a reference, saved my butt... I was so frazzeled half way thru the test I couldn't have remembered my name, but did the Sea School ditties that you could kinda sing to your self to recall the rules of the road. The nav portion and seamanship was open book and you actually had to chart, t/d all that stuff. Only 3 of us passed all 4 modules that day.... I saw some guys cry because they needed it to stay employeed or get a promotion. Hell I was doing it cause Id run a dive trip out now and then with my buddies paying for the gas and wanted to may be do it for a living after I retired from the army. Didn't though... would have starved to death...
Arch Autenreith posted 02-14-2003 01:07 PM ET (US)
Thanks again all and esp Don for suggesting Sea School.
Annapolis classes starting next weekend all filled up. Next class all filled up also. Looks like it's going to have to happen during 2 boating weekends it seems. (It'll probably be two of the best weekends weather-wise I'm sure b/c we'll be stuck in some non-a/c classroom with 50 others!)
4Whaler: Your accout is eye-opening and funny. Brings back all those memories of tests of years gone by. I HATE TESTS!!

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Author	Topic: Captain's license
Arch Autenreith	posted 02-12-2003 11:54 AM ET (US) It's been a goal of mine for some time to work towards a Captain's license. Using Google I came across countless sites and became overwhelmed. Pros/cons of a captain licens? Recommendations, insights or other discussions?
jimp	posted 02-12-2003 02:32 PM ET (US) Arch - If you don't need one for work or if you aren't planning on becoming a charter skipper, it comes down to personal choice. There was a long thread a while back about "professionalism" which included a lot about licenses (last 6 months?). See if you can find it, though I bet you already have. I'm sure the Classic Whaler Forum will be able to argue all sides of your question. Personal choice, its not what others think about your abilities (in most cases) but what you think about yourself. Self esteem, pride, accomplishment, confidence, etc. can all come from a license. But if you continue to run aground or ram the dock, or run over waterskiers, maybe a license doesn't prove a thing. When you look at what some of the "professionals" do, you sometimes wonder, "Where'd you get your license? Sears?" (No offense to Sears, just a line I've always liked for years.) I'm arguing a similar question with where my daughter will go to college... private or public. Both have advantages, both provide excellent educations, both can help you get a job later. But what are my daughter's needs, what size school fits her, and where is she comfortable? All comes down to personal choice. I also taught a 100-ton USCG approved licensing course. For students I had fishermen with over 35-years experience, kids just out of high school, lawyers, doctors, teachers, boaters, etc. Some needed the license for their job, but most wanted it for the feeling of accomplishment of meeting a challenge and beating it. An idle brain gets soft - challenge it. FYI. After 23 years in the USCG, I got a license (before I got out). I used it for charter work for a while with my 22 Revenge WT, but now it sits on my wall. And that's OK. I'd go for it. JimP
bsmotril	posted 02-12-2003 03:47 PM ET (US) One thing to be aware of....If you get your license and start taking folks out on charters, Your Merc Warranty is voided and your recreational boating Insurance policy is likely voided. Check the fine print on both about commercial or for hire usage of the boat / motor. If you've got the seatime, then get one of the self study guides and go for it. You'll be a better and safer boater when it is all done. BillS
BW23	posted 02-12-2003 05:04 PM ET (US) http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/deck/upv.htm Good Luck!!!!
STEPHEN	posted 02-12-2003 07:11 PM ET (US) Ive been kickin around the same idea.I'd probably just get the "6 pack" license.I think getting licensed for more then 6 passengers is more involved, extensive hours at sea needs to be documented. Can't hurt I guess specially if I someday wanna live by the sea. Steve
InHerNet	posted 02-12-2003 08:55 PM ET (US) You will learn more then you will ever use and some. If you plan on using your license for income then study hard and take the test. I went to Sea School for mine. I was going to charter for the tarpon season in Boca Grande and decided that I would rather fish myself and not work making everybody else happy. Now its just another piece of paper to add to the collection. Great experience learning how to chart and plot and identify a submarine light at night. For all that have been there will know what I mean. Good luck on your studies. Don
jhill	posted 02-12-2003 09:25 PM ET (US) Go for it. I got mine just to be a better boater. If you can pass the 100 ton, like I did, it is great for the ego
logan	posted 02-13-2003 03:39 AM ET (US) I just got done with the 100 masters and need 3 more days at a boat over 25 gross and I will be certified up to 50 tons (I wanted to wait before I mentioned it to anyone but now seems fine). Technically speaking you cannot even take people out if they pay for any part of the trip unless you have a license. Not even beer or gas. You will learn so much on how to deal with traffic charting and the rest. You may even be able to get credit for the class from a community collage if you have a need for such things. As far as abilities go I have seen charter skippers who I would never get on a boat with, and people who look like they should not be let anywhere near a helm that I would have no doubts to there abilities. Sea time for a six-pack is so easy. The form you send in has a bunch of blanks to fill in how many days and what not, and a line for someone to validate. Go for a tonnage license as apposed to just an OUPV (6 Pac) because it is easier to upgrade should you so desire. Logan
Arch Autenreith	posted 02-13-2003 09:58 AM ET (US) jimp and all. Thanks for the info and concur with all your thoughts. I thought I did remember another discussion but couldn't find it using "captain". I was just being lazy and will look more carefully again. Don. Of equal importance to me is where to take it. With Sea School did you take it in a classroom or online? Being in the center of nowhere for class locations I'm leaning towards that option. Arch
InHerNet	posted 02-13-2003 03:05 PM ET (US) Arch, Sea School has a internet site www.seaschool.com You can check to see if they have a class schedule near you. I took the class. 54 hrs. Don
reelescape1	posted 02-13-2003 04:07 PM ET (US) Arch, I went through Sea School about 1 1/2 years ago here in Chas. SC. I earned my OUPV (6 pack) license. I thought it was great!! The instructor was very thorough. Basically they prepare you to take the CG test which they also administer. The class (its all classroom instruction) was brutal!! We went Sat + Sun 8 hours, Mon-Fri 4 1/2hours, Sat-Sun 8 hours again....then you schedule testing. Make lots of flash cards to study before the tests...if I can help you, e-mail me.
4whaler	posted 02-14-2003 11:02 AM ET (US) I did Sea School, twice, it was free the 2nd time. I let to much time go by before trying to take the USCG exam. So I did a walk in to another class to brush up. They drill you for the exam and have some neat memory drills that you'll need to take the actual exam. I took the tonage test instead of the 6pax exam in the USCG building in NY Harbor next to the ferry building that I came over on from NJ, it was right under the World Trade towers, which were still there then. Damn bitch of a test. 30 of us were there at 8AM and the test ended at 4PM with no break. 4 modules the Rules of the Road w/ lights and signals portion was closed book (memory drills here). Sea School teaches you to sit down and do a memory dump on a clean peice of paper as soon as you start the test to use as a reference, saved my butt... I was so frazzeled half way thru the test I couldn't have remembered my name, but did the Sea School ditties that you could kinda sing to your self to recall the rules of the road. The nav portion and seamanship was open book and you actually had to chart, t/d all that stuff. Only 3 of us passed all 4 modules that day.... I saw some guys cry because they needed it to stay employeed or get a promotion. Hell I was doing it cause Id run a dive trip out now and then with my buddies paying for the gas and wanted to may be do it for a living after I retired from the army. Didn't though... would have starved to death...
Arch Autenreith	posted 02-14-2003 01:07 PM ET (US) Thanks again all and esp Don for suggesting Sea School. Annapolis classes starting next weekend all filled up. Next class all filled up also. Looks like it's going to have to happen during 2 boating weekends it seems. (It'll probably be two of the best weekends weather-wise I'm sure b/c we'll be stuck in some non-a/c classroom with 50 others!) 4Whaler: Your accout is eye-opening and funny. Brings back all those memories of tests of years gone by. I HATE TESTS!!