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Captain's School

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sparky1
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 40
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Randy,

Get the ticket!!!! The biggest hassle is from people who are opposed to it mentally it seems. Same discussion different forum everywhere. Truth is you have a dream to get it... DO IT!!!!

As for a school. I went and got the ticket from sea school in AV over 3 weekends and the wife and baby went swimming in the timeshares pool. Hardest part was the paperwork (documentation) and the physical (need to find a doctor who understands the forms a bit and has the equipment to administer some parts of the test.

As for the TWIC. PIA!!!!!!! but not hard... 2 visits, an hour (hopefully) each time with appointment done. I will sign a form for you as a person of character (i have that?) if needed.

Just pick a program that works within your budget and schedule. You know you can take the test without one of these schools? Just go to the coast guard office that administers the test after you memorize all the Colregs.

Noel
 
How things have changed. When I sat for 100 ton the only open book was local knowledge. You had to take the test at the CG and the first time pass rate was 15%. Sounds like it's easier now.

Brian
 
Brian

part of the 100t exam covers equipement regulations. I dont' think anyone can memorize, or should memorize, all the various scenarios. stuff like what type of raft you need in an inspected vessel based on how far you operate and hull material... so many scenarios and it's really not something a captain needs to remember as equipment is reviewed when the vessel is inpected anyway...
 
Pascal said:
Brian

part of the 100t exam covers equipement regulations. I dont' think anyone can memorize, or should memorize, all the various scenarios. stuff like what type of raft you need in an inspected vessel based on how far you operate and hull material... so many scenarios and it's really not something a captain needs to remember as equipment is reviewed when the vessel is inpected anyway...
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That's the funny part about getting a license... memorization as opposed to actual experience. At least that's the way it is with a six pack. It's still hard to believe you can be issued a Captain's license and not have to prove you can even get your boat in or out of its slip.

I'm going to go ahead with this thing, but I'll do some homework in terms of knowing what to expect with the color-blindness issue as well as my being able to document my sea time. I'd hate to cough up the funds for the course only to find I'm screwed on a technicality. The six pack should be no problem, but the 100 Ton may present some difficulites.
 
Hey Sparky... I'd really appreciate a new thread for you "Getting a Captains License' with your full experience. That would make for some very interesting reading.
 
SportFishCruising said:
Hey Sparky... I'd really appreciate a new thread for you "Getting a Captains License' with your full experience. That would make for some very interesting reading.
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Hell that's the easy part Randy finding a Boat with two running Diesel's Now that's the hard part and would make a good read!

Maybe some year ;)
 
Brian Degulis said:
How things have changed. When I sat for 100 ton the only open book was local knowledge. You had to take the test at the CG and the first time pass rate was 15%. Sounds like it's easier now.

Brian
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As best I can remember the only open book section I had was about pollution.
Passing was 90% R.O.R and 70% on the rest. On a number of the questions you had to think what the govt wants for an answer and not neccissarily the best answer. I took the test at the CG in Tampa, most of my group failed and I was shocked when I got a 97. It was funny how people don't listen, we were told multiple times that there were no breaks once the test was passed out. Believe it of not three fools got up to use the bathroom and had their tests confiscated when they returned. I was warned to reread the questions before answering and go back and recheck everything twice. Any questions that seem easy are the ones you will get wrong.

I would strongly reccommend that you use the doctors the school suggests as they know the ins and outs. On my first renewal I had one of my doctor clients do the physical and drug screen. The screen was rejected because it was conducted by SmithCline in Tampa and they would only accept SmithCline in Atlanta!

Also when I renew I pick up the paperwork at Sea School and have them check the forms before mailing. The requirements change all the time and they are on top of the changes. It is a great service and is free if you went to one of their schools. Good Luck
 
Randy,

Forget the "drug test" Get on a program where you get called at random for the test. You piss in the bottle once then every year send some money and maybe get called in. Passes the drug test requirement easily.
 
The test for my first license (100T) was in 1977 in NY. There was no Sea School back then I took a course that a guy named Irv Levine gave in his basement 3 nights a week he was a good instructor. The worst part of the whole thing was the interview at the CG the morning of the test. I was warned that they would try to push your buttons but didn't realize how far they would take it. When I was leaving the interviewer he said " I'll see you in a couple of hours" I said I thought this test takes a full day? He said that's only if you get thru ROR only 15% do on the first attempt and you don't strike my as one of them.

I got thru ROR and everything but navigation by around 2 PM. They close the exam room at 4 PM the examiner gave me the option to do navigation and local knowledge the next day but I decided to go for it. So I started navigation it was a steaming problem meaning that you start at position A and finish at position B. I took my time and got it done by around 3:15 PM. When I checked it I realized I made a mistake I started the whole exercise at the wrong position which meant every other position was wrong as well. So I ask for another chart and the examiner is telling me it's 3:30 you only have until 4 not enough time he's telling me to hand in what I have and I wasn't about to do that because I know it's all wrong.

So I start on the new chart get the stating position right get the first leg drawn all the time knowing there is no way I have enough time to complete this. And then it came to me like a guiding light from above. Although my positions were wrong on the first test the lines and angles were right. So I put the first test under the new chart lined up the first leg from the first chart and traced the lines and positions. Now all I had to do was take the new positions and fill in the answers. At 4:02 they graded it 91% only 70% was required to pass.

Well I still had to go back the next day to do local knowledge which was open book and then get my license. So I complete that and go back down stairs to get sworn in and get a license. I end up with the same guy that interviewed me but now he's completely different he's pleasant I guess trying to tick me off was just part of his job. As he's going thru my paper work he looks up at me and says yesterday was your birthday now I'm thinking what a nice guy he going to wish me a happy birthday well not exactly. He asks what time were you born believe it or not I didn't know. I said why are you asking he said I'm not sure because this has never come up before but I think if you were actually born at a time later than you started the test it may be invalid because technically you would have been under the minimum age. So he brings someone else over and he didn't know so he tells me to find out what time I was born and lets see if we even have to address this at all. So he gives me a phone and I call my mom to find out I was born a little after 2 AM what a relief.

The reason this was becoming such a problem was because the time of birth on my birth certificate was illegible the date was fine but the time was jumbled. So I leave the CG again without a license goes to the hospital in Freeport NY were I was born and get a certified copy. Well the time is illegible on the copy also. I explained my problem to the hospital and luckily for me they were very cooperative and were able to produce lots of supporting information like the times that the doctor and nurses logged during my birth. That couldn't prove an exact time but easily proved it was before 8 AM which was all I needed. So on the third trip I finally left with a license and probably the honor of being the youngest to obtain one from NY's third CG district probably the entire US who else but me would be goofy enough to make a mistake like that?

Brian
 
I highly recommend Sea School. I did my OUPV and 100 ton with them. Excellent instructors both times. The first guy was a merchant mariner with 40 years or so on Military Sealift Command, and delivering sailboats across the Atlantic single handed. Outstanding.

The best lessons were his sea stories to illustrate the course concepts. Worth the price of the course right there. I did learn a great deal from him. I.E. Which boat is safer to deliver, a thirty year old Hatteras, or a brand new million dollar sailboat? The answer is of course, the old Hatteras, because at least you know it has been floating for a long time! Unlike a new boat with perhaps faulty seacock installation, or many other potential hazards. Also, which flares are better and legal, expensive SOLAS flares or USCG approved flares? Well, outside the classroom demo, to show why you need the SOLAS flares aboard (massive, bright flare) even though they were not "legally approved", as well as the legally approved, feeble IMO, ones. Just be sure to show the legally approved ones on inspection, and not the other ones. Class was a bit concerned during the flare demo, mumuring to each other, "uh, isn't it illegal to fire flares off?"

Sure enough, sirens approached during his demo, cops and firetrucks, megaphone bellowed "person who fired the flares!" Scared us students stiff, Instructor Sea Dog talked to them "Peoples lives at Sea are at stake here, how do you expect these students to know which flares are good and which are not, your rules prevent flare demos, so F the rules!" Police and Firemen agreed with him, and they left. Editors note: I do NOT recommend anyone try this! <gg>

Perhaps the best aspect of Sea School was that they were a HUGE help with paperwork, after passing the courses. I recall there was an extra fee for this service, well worth it, as they reviewed all paperwork before it was sent, to ensure smooth processing. Also hooked you up with the right sea docs and drug testing program etc. Have fun trying to figure all that out on your own.

WTG Sea School!
 
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captddis said:
.

I would strongly reccommend that you use the doctors the school suggests as they know the ins and outs.
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I suppose it would be better to use their doctor as I'm sure they want their students to pass this course the first time. Otherwise, they're taking up space for free the next time around. I just thought my doctor may be a little more creative in his testing where my color-blindness is concerned. Hell, I never knew I was color-blind until I had my first DOT physical.

I'm not worried about drug testing as I'm not on anything, legal or otherwise, that would cause me problems. As for me writing a thread (book) on my boating experience, it wouldn't be that interesting. Believe it or not, 98% of the time I leave the dock, the boat and I come back in pretty much the same shape as we left. You guys already know the story behind the other 2%. :D
 
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On the drug testing, Sea School hooks you up with a company program that you will NEED, to provide paperwork demonstrating you are "in a random drug testing program" any time you are inspected.
 
SportFishCruising said:
Hey Sparky... I'd really appreciate a new thread for you "Getting a Captains License' with your full experience. That would make for some very interesting reading.
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Looks like I misread you post the first time around and thought you were talking about my full boating experience. Don't worry, I'll keep you guys posted on how this goes. I've already run into one other person I know who will be taking this same course, so that should be a plus.

Too bad Carl Guzman and I never could get our schedules to work out as we had planned to go to Sea School together when I was in Florida. Then again, maybe that was a good thing. :D
 
OK guys, here's how the rates break down for this particular course.

OUPV Class, 56 hrs 795.00
OUPV Test 95.00
Drug Test 75.00
USCG Physical 75.00
Tow Endorsement 125.00 (may go for this while I'm at it)
Upgrade to Master 345.00
Submission of Application to USCG 145.00 (looks like I could do that on my own)

They provide all manuals, workbooks, loan of Weems & Path plotting tool, practice charts, Captain's satchel with pen/pencil, eraser, and calculator. Other aids and tools will be included and given to the student for future use.
 
Thats enuff fer yer 12 banger overhaul... ws
 
Yes, do the towing endorsement. Sea Tow is often looking for folks to run towboats....after careful training and observation of you on their boats!

Absolutely critical to pay the $145 for submission to USCG. Sea School found all sorts of things as a small business owner I had NO IDEA I needed to submit, and you will not find any information on this, anywhere. Sea School knows this stuff, kicked back my application with instructions on what to include, what to change, resubmitted to Sea School and it sailed through their contact at USCG with ease. Well worth the $145 or whatever I paid for them to review and submit my docs.

For my 50 Ton Masters, I decided to do it myself, and had delays that if I had submitted via Sea School, I would not have had.
 
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Yeah, I went back and looked at that $145 submission fee, and that was payable to the USCG. They had a note that they would help fill out the application, so I'll glady accept that help.

You have to wonder why they want to make this so complicated when there is absolutely no license requirement to operate as big a boat as you can afford or as big a one as anybody will turn you loose in.
 
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