Cyber Monday - why not get a USCG Captains License?

Stee6043

Stee6043

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2015
6,746
West Michigan
Boat Info
1997 Sundancer 400
Engines
7.4L Gassers
I assume some of you received the same email I did from Mariners Learning System over the weekend. They are running a 25% off deal on their online captains license courses.

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a license for a while now. I enjoy learning and I enjoy boating. Why not go for it? The 25% off is what pushed me over the edge. I may never use the license to be honest :)

I believe my 400 will get me into a 50 gross ton license but I need to confirm that. The displacement calculations are a bit wonky.

So here's to a fun winter project!
 
Getting a oupv is great but I recommend an environment where you learn in-person.
 
Education is the one thing other people can not take away from you.

You will get mixed feelings on CSR regarding the value of the process. I did it 20+ years ago and felt it provided a more robust knowledge set than any other education curriculum. I did an in-person class for 4 days that included a medical and all the paperwork.

There are those that feel it raises your legal culpability if an accident was to occur. Perhaps that is true but there is no evidence I have found that supports that claim. I have found that if you don't have a USCG license and you are taking paying passengers for a ride......you are in a world of hurt without a license. Since I am far more likely to haul paying passengers than get into an accident......it is a no brainer.

The process has become more onerous since USCG was taken over by Homeland Security. You have to obtain a Homeland Security credential as well as pass the test. I have gone through five renewals but I probably won't make the effort to do a sixth. Part of that reason is that I probably only had 20 qualified days logged on the boat this year.
 
NotHerDecision said:
Getting a oupv is great but I recommend an environment where you learn in-person.
Click to expand...

The reviews debating between in-person and online are mixed, as with all things. I got a fair amount of bang for my buck from two online masters degrees (from real universities) so I'm willing to take a shot at it.

I'm going for a Master Inland...
 
Nothing wrong with on-line courses from a content and knowledge building. Where you lose is the class interaction where other students ask questions that come from a different perspective. In my class we had Merchant Marine mariners as well as recreational boaters which made the class discussion far more interesting.

That said....the test is the test.
 
Well it's been a hot second since Turkey Day. I've been slowly chugging along. I've been very pleased with the MLS online content. Though I'm not getting the in-class interactions, I'm also not being hand-fed the actual tests. Based on what I've heard about a few in-person classes I think the online path is likely a bit more difficult from a content to test perspective.

I took the OUPV portion of my exams this week. I would have...should have....could have passed all four sections first try. But I had a rather impactful technical snafu with my computer, followed by a new browser install, tech support on the phone, ughh. This lead to a significant personal time constraint on the nav rules exam. The hardest one, and the last one of course. I snagged an 84% but needed a 90% to pass. So I'll retake that one next week and with any luck be done with the OUPV portion of the exams.

After that it's a single test for the Master upgrade which I'm ready for. I'm also going for the towing endorsement which is embarrassingly simple.

Shooting to have it all wrapped up this month. It's been highly educational and I've enjoyed it. Especially the chart plotting. Though wicked old-school I very much enjoyed learning how to properly use charts, parallel rules and dividers.
 
Stee6043 said:
Well it's been a hot second since Turkey Day. I've been slowly chugging along. I've been very pleased with the MLS online content. Though I'm not getting the in-class interactions, I'm also not being hand-fed the actual tests. Based on what I've heard about a few in-person classes I think the online path is likely a bit more difficult from a content to test perspective.

I took the OUPV portion of my exams this week. I would have...should have....could have passed all four sections first try. But I had a rather impactful technical snafu with my computer, followed by a new browser install, tech support on the phone, ughh. This lead to a significant personal time constraint on the nav rules exam. The hardest one, and the last one of course. I snagged an 84% but needed a 90% to pass. So I'll retake that one next week and with any luck be done with the OUPV portion of the exams.

After that it's a single test for the Master upgrade which I'm ready for. I'm also going for the towing endorsement which is embarrassingly simple.

Shooting to have it all wrapped up this month. It's been highly educational and I've enjoyed it. Especially the chart plotting. Though wicked old-school I very much enjoyed learning how to properly use charts, parallel rules and dividers.
Click to expand...
OUPV in 1985 via online training (ok more like morse code). Master in 1987. I actually did deliveries of new yachts for a few sailing and power companies ove the years as well as training for new owners for Marine Max. Never used it for a "living", but it has served me well. The Homeland takeover was certainly a clusterF when that took place, as I was right in the middle of the switchover. Had to go to REC Miami twice because of it.
Now, it's a wall hanger.
 
So 18 months later.....I finally received my merchant mariner credential last week. I figured I should cap off this thread.

Highlights:
My 400DA was able to get me into a 50 Ton Master...just barely @ 26.5 tons
My application took about 3 months to work through the system from submitted to license mailed
US Captains Training is an awesome source for a blended online/instructor led (virtual) course
I learned a lot, many things I had no idea about even having been boating for 20+ years
Old school chartplotting is a bit of a hoot, I enjoyed it, but I am a bit shocked they still require it to the extent they do

Lowlights:
Mariners Learning System was a lowlight for me.
I am convinced there was something wrong with their testing on the nav rules while I was taking it. I twice waited for instructors to contact me after my exam results were provided, both times they called with something like "I'll be available for 30 more minutes and then we have to wipe your exam for retest". I could never actually connect with them to see where I was missing and why. I scored mid 80's three times in a row. And that's all ya get before you have to take all modules over. Ultimately, the money I spent with MLS got me the towing endorsement, nothing more. I scored mid/high 90's on every test, first try, with US Captains Training. Their content (and instructor availability) was far, far better than MLS.​
The medical process was a bit more involved than I expected.
My primary care physician was awesome but they don't generally test adult hearing. So they had to call an audible and bring in a nurse from pediatrics. Picture me wearing kids sized, brightly colored headphones with a nurse wearing unicorn stickers on her uniform. We were both laughing, a lot.
It took a bit of work to get an approved color blindness test. Apparently this isn't something all eye doctors or locations are always setup to do.
​
So that's that. I have no plans to charter, no plans to do anything with it really. Someday though...who knows.
 
@Stee6043 Good for you! It's a real accomplishment for sure. The test isn't easy and studying is like your back in collage. I've had mine since I was a kid and after about 30, I've never used it again.

My bane of existence was the mast lights. To this day I find them confusing at night. On paper not so bad, but IRL they're a real bitch. Thank GOD for AIS, is all I have to say.
 
That’s awesome. I think it may be easier/convenient for someone in the industry. I have a slip neighbor just got his Captain license. Young guy, been working on the Elk River tug boat (based in NYC) for a few years from peon to deckhand to assist engineer. On duty 2 weeks on 2 off.
Passed CL on first try. I hear it’s difficult for people not actually in the industry.
Sounds like you did very well.
 
I swear. I want to learn a sextant. I really do.
Nobody needs it these days. But wouldn’t it be cool to be sitting in a bar someday and guy next to you say “I commanded a USA aircraft carrier”. And you could reply “Aint shit. Can you read a sextant?”.
Some things are just too cool.
 
I recently bought a professional set of parallels. And learned how to determine course on charts.
Know why there a compass rose on every chart?
Know how to use parallels?
I do. And it’s awesome. i can plot a course anywhere in the world just like Master and Commander.
Look on utube.
When your electronics go out, I’ll get you into port.
Sextant next. Only problem is they can only determine latitude not longitude.
But next i intend to learn dead reckoning.
 
Pirate Lady said:
I recently bought a professional set of parallels. And learned how to determine course on charts.
Know why there a compass rose on every chart?
Know how to use parallels?
I do. And it’s awesome. i can plot a course anywhere in the world just like Master and Commander.
Look on utube.
When your electronics go out, I’ll get you into port.
Sextant next. Only problem is they can only determine latitude not longitude.
But next i intend to learn dead reckoning.
Click to expand...

I'll do you one better, know how to use just a compass and watch? Also would need to know the tides tables.
 
Stee6043 said:
So 18 months later.....I finally received my merchant mariner credential last week. I figured I should cap off this thread.

Highlights:
My 400DA was able to get me into a 50 Ton Master...just barely @ 26.5 tons
My application took about 3 months to work through the system from submitted to license mailed
US Captains Training is an awesome source for a blended online/instructor led (virtual) course
I learned a lot, many things I had no idea about even having been boating for 20+ years
Old school chartplotting is a bit of a hoot, I enjoyed it, but I am a bit shocked they still require it to the extent they do

Lowlights:
Mariners Learning System was a lowlight for me.
I am convinced there was something wrong with their testing on the nav rules while I was taking it. I twice waited for instructors to contact me after my exam results were provided, both times they called with something like "I'll be available for 30 more minutes and then we have to wipe your exam for retest". I could never actually connect with them to see where I was missing and why. I scored mid 80's three times in a row. And that's all ya get before you have to take all modules over. Ultimately, the money I spent with MLS got me the towing endorsement, nothing more. I scored mid/high 90's on every test, first try, with US Captains Training. Their content (and instructor availability) was far, far better than MLS.​
The medical process was a bit more involved than I expected.
My primary care physician was awesome but they don't generally test adult hearing. So they had to call an audible and bring in a nurse from pediatrics. Picture me wearing kids sized, brightly colored headphones with a nurse wearing unicorn stickers on her uniform. We were both laughing, a lot.
It took a bit of work to get an approved color blindness test. Apparently this isn't something all eye doctors or locations are always setup to do.
​
So that's that. I have no plans to charter, no plans to do anything with it really. Someday though...who knows.
Click to expand...
Congrats on getting it done! I still have my paper chart tools on my desk from when I took the Power Squadron course over 20 years ago. Hard to imagine a time when we didn't have electronics!
 
Pirate Lady said:
I recently bought a professional set of parallels. And learned how to determine course on charts.
Know why there a compass rose on every chart?
Know how to use parallels?
I do. And it’s awesome. i can plot a course anywhere in the world just like Master and Commander.
Look on utube.
When your electronics go out, I’ll get you into port.
Sextant next. Only problem is they can only determine latitude not longitude.
But next i intend to learn dead reckoning.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was the fun part for sure. Though it gets a bit more tedious when you also include set/drift and have to account for compass error.

Yer never gonna get there if you're only drawing straight lines on the chart and not triangles :):)
 
SKybolt said:
I'll do you one better, know how to use just a compass and watch? Also would need to know the tides tables.
Click to expand...
Thats for longitude. Nobody could calculate longitude until an accurate clock was made. Interesting story about that. The Royal Geographical Society put a huge prize for first person to invent an accurate chronometer. Then screwed the guy that did it out of the prize.
 
Stee6043 said:
Yeah, that was the fun part for sure. Though it gets a bit more tedious when you also include set/drift and have to account for compass error.

Yer never gonna get there if you're only drawing straight lines on the chart and not triangles :):)
Click to expand...
Only crossing from Middle River to Tolchester. 10 miles. If i gotta plot a course to China Im taking a plane.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Thats for longitude. Nobody could calculate longitude until an accurate clock was made. Interesting story about that. The Royal Geographical Society put a huge prize for first person to invent an accurate chronometer. Then screwed the guy that did it out of the prize.
Click to expand...

Actually it's for running a course with only a compass. You need to know the speed of the boat, the wind speed and direction and tide (current) speed. And then calculate a true bearing to take and guestimate how long it should take until your next mark. Not easily done when land is not in site and why sextant's were used and were part of the captain's license test years ago, not sure if it still is or not?
 
Stee6043 said:
So 18 months later.....I finally received my merchant mariner credential last week. I figured I should cap off this thread.

Highlights:
My 400DA was able to get me into a 50 Ton Master...just barely @ 26.5 tons
My application took about 3 months to work through the system from submitted to license mailed
US Captains Training is an awesome source for a blended online/instructor led (virtual) course
I learned a lot, many things I had no idea about even having been boating for 20+ years
Old school chartplotting is a bit of a hoot, I enjoyed it, but I am a bit shocked they still require it to the extent they do

Lowlights:
Mariners Learning System was a lowlight for me.
I am convinced there was something wrong with their testing on the nav rules while I was taking it. I twice waited for instructors to contact me after my exam results were provided, both times they called with something like "I'll be available for 30 more minutes and then we have to wipe your exam for retest". I could never actually connect with them to see where I was missing and why. I scored mid 80's three times in a row. And that's all ya get before you have to take all modules over. Ultimately, the money I spent with MLS got me the towing endorsement, nothing more. I scored mid/high 90's on every test, first try, with US Captains Training. Their content (and instructor availability) was far, far better than MLS.​
The medical process was a bit more involved than I expected.
My primary care physician was awesome but they don't generally test adult hearing. So they had to call an audible and bring in a nurse from pediatrics. Picture me wearing kids sized, brightly colored headphones with a nurse wearing unicorn stickers on her uniform. We were both laughing, a lot.
It took a bit of work to get an approved color blindness test. Apparently this isn't something all eye doctors or locations are always setup to do.
​
So that's that. I have no plans to charter, no plans to do anything with it really. Someday though...who knows.
Click to expand...

My son is getting his OUPV and I had to take him for the medical exam. The hearing test was ridiculous. The Dr litteraly whispered 3 words he had to repeat while she in the exam room. I was expecting something more like when I go to the audiologist.
 
Pirate Lady said:
I swear. I want to learn a sextant. I really do.
Nobody needs it these days. But wouldn’t it be cool to be sitting in a bar someday and guy next to you say “I commanded a USA aircraft carrier”. And you could reply “Aint shit. Can you read a sextant?”.
Some things are just too cool.
Click to expand...
It only takes 5 minutes or so to learn how to read a sextant. How to use that reading is another story...
 
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