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Captains License??

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/02/2003 : 21:27:20

Does anyone have their Captains License from the USCG? I bought a couple of self study books and I plan to go to Houston this summer to take the test. It requires a minimum of 365 days of boating (I think 4+ hours counts for a day) and 25% of that time has to be in the last three years + a physical and other documentation. there seems to be different levels of license, Charter skipper through 100 ton, and there seems to be a certification for inland or international waters Any infromation would be great....
thanks,
Steve Steakley

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 22:20:22

Oh VA-AL...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/02/2003 22:21:24

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 22:34:03

Is this so you can officiate marriage ceremonies for guests on your boat in Canyon Lake? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
On the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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bren737
Captain

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291 Posts

Response Posted - 01/02/2003 : 23:45:44

Steve,

Check out this page: http://www.fishfla.net/Capt_license_basic_requirements.htm

It's from a "fishing site" but the information should be the same, regardless, for 100 ton licenses. I've been interested in doing the same thing for awhile, myself. Just too damned busy. Got as far as buying the study guides last spring and haven't really even looked at them yet.

Question I have is accounting for your required time "at sea." I would assume you have to present a logbook with specific dates, times, etc. I've never kept one. I would assume,too, that it's similar to getting a license for flying. The FAA scrutinizes aviation logbooks pretty thoroughly. Let me know if you find out anything regarding "proof of time."

Bren Peterson
C250WB, #642, "Ruah"
San Antonio, TX

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 04:52:16

I just called the Coasties about a license a few days ago. The guy I spoke with told me those were to be 365 EIGHT hour days, underway, with documentation. He said 3 months, or 90 of those days, had to be within the last 3 years. This is no problem for me except the documentation part. My log book followed the boat when I sold my Tartan 30 a few years back. Haven't kept a very complete one with the C25. We'll see....

He also told me to check out the coastal community college in Astoria, OR. which offers a 1 week, 40 hour course. Upon completion of the class, the license is conferred, provided the hours are documented, etc. I am planning on checking this out; I think I'll try to go this route. I think you can get more info by checking out the Coast Guard online through their website. I haven't done it yet, but plan to soon. Good luck.

Gary B.

Encore! # 685 SK/SR

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 09:39:17

Steve,

I found Charlie Wing's book,especially the C-D with questions and answers, to be more helpful than the school that I was involved with. If you check this out be sure to get the second edition. Titled, Get Your Captain's Licence, by Charlie Wing. Local book stores asked a handsome price. It was considerably less expensive on the internet...$50+ vs #36.

Lots of work ahead, enjoy.
Val

Val Bisagni

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 12:06:20

I am using the 16th Edition Charters West Publication by Bud Gonder.It covers the Six Pac to Master-100 Ton for Sail and Power and was about $50 on Amazon, I also got the USCG Navigation Rules which the study guide suggested to know and understand. The documentation for Owners of a vessel is a simple 1 page form that you simply fill in the number of days you sailed each year which has to be accompanied with your ownership papers. The study guide says that if the papers are in order then they usually accept the time as stated on the form and do not require extensive logs, but I would keep one anyway just in case. You fill out one form for each boat that you had time on. If you sailed on a boat you did not own there is a different form that requires a Notary and signatures from the owner/operator. There is a similiar course in Houston that I am considering taking this summer, It varies in time from 1 week to 3 weeks so I will have to check into the requirments. For the basic License I think there are 5 modules that you are tested on individually and you do not have to take all the test in one day. There also seems that it is an open book test but you have to use the USCG reference materials in the testing room. It also requires current CPR/First AID certification and a recent physical from a doctor on thier form. Plus a couple of hundred in fees...so this is not just a stroll in the park but I would like more information...
Steve

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 13:32:55

Steve,

In a sense it is an open book test...there will be a table in the test room with all necessary texts piled about and you may use any that you recognize. ALL, THAT IS, EXCEPT RULES OF THE ROAD. The CD that comes with the Wing book is the most effective self test that I've come across when preparing for the rules test. I spent three years,one day a week, at school and couldn't pass a rules test, ninety % being the passing grade. Three errors out of thirty is passing. One summer with the Wing CD...one test a day and I was regularly hitting in the 90% after a months time. The Rules test is the deciding one the rest are easily acquired. I seem to think.
I don't have my books before me but you are right about the form for sea time. It's a matter of you stating the amount of time spent on your boat(24' minimum size) over the past three years. Your signature is all that is required. But before you sign read the penalties applying to exagerated times should you be asked to justify them and you can't.
I had an especially difficult time finding a SAMSHA laboratory for the drug test. Military personnel,fire and police are tested as a matter of course and have access to the accepted lab.

All test areas are done at the same time. Should any test be failed you may reapply for the failed test within a six month period. It's not necessary to repeat all tests within that time period. I haven't heard of the test being given in segments. As a matter of fact some time was spent dispelling that myth.
Getting all the required aside tests were a pain for me, too structured, too annal. Drug tests, Red Cross tests, etc. Not always availabe, and the tests having been taken and not used within a specified period of time are no longer usable, seem to me to be testing your stress handling ability. not your boat handling ability. It might be a more complete test of seamanship if on boat tests were required. Shouldn't be too difficult to identify a druggie handeling a boat under such circumstances.

Again best of luck in all you do.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Val Bisagni

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/03/2003 : 18:57:46

I looked around the internet to find out what constitutes "at sea time in a vessel". From the link that Bren provided, the requirements are,

<b>"(18 years old): 360 days of experience in operation of a vessel. 90 days of the 360 days on ocean or near coastal waters or may be limited to inland. License will be limited to vessels of less than 100 gross tons and limited to near coastal waters not more than 100 miles offshore. If not U.S. citizen, the license will be limited to undocumented, uninspected vessels.</b>

Now, I would think that if the USCG is granting you a license to take out 6 people with crew in a charter, then the "at sea time in a vessel" must mean time in a comparable vessel, right? Would time in our C25's or C22's count? How about dinghy's, PWC's?

I would think that this "at sea" requirement would be more specifc, but I can't find it anywhere. Anybody know?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
On the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 01/07/2003 : 11:07:39

Val, thanks
I had planned on taking the course this summer in Houston, They also administer the test for the USCG but I need another year at least to accumulate enough time... I am logging everything and trying to recover all those days in the log that I did not get down...thank goodness for the yacht club calender! At least I have time to take lots of practice test!
Steve Steakley

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