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Random Quote: In theory, practice and theory are the same, but in practice they are diffrent. (Larry McVoy)
I'm wondering the requirements for getting a captains license. There is a job opening at my work that would be captaining a large riverboat that accomodates up to 30 people. In general, what would I have to do to become certified? Is it difficult?
Getting your "Captain's License" is a lot more than just thinking it would be nice to have. The regulations have been changed vastly over the last few years. Here is the website that will answer all your questions.
I better start documenting my boating hours. Is there some sort of official hour logging format? Hours, HP, passengers? The above website could be better... Thanks.
What site could be better? Do you mean the Coast Guard Site? The site with every form, application, requirement list and help topics that pertain to any license or document that you might desire? In the 24 minutes that elapsed from the time I posted that link to the time that you complained that the USCG website "could be better" you could not have done very much looking. All the forms are there including "Small Boat Sea Service".
If you want someone to hold your hand and lead you through the process, contact a "Sea School", dish out $1000 and let them do the work for you.
Bull's I wrote: "The above site could be better..."
What site could be better? Do you mean the Coast Guard Site? The site with every form, application, requirement list and help topics that pertain to any license or document that you might desire? In the 24 minutes that elapsed from the time I posted that link to the time that you complained that the USCG website "could be better" you could not have done very much looking. All the forms are there including "Small Boat Sea Service".
If you want someone to hold your hand and lead you through the process, contact a "Sea School", dish out $1000 and let them do the work for you.
That's what I like to see-some really helpful advice. The Coast Guard site is a typical government site and it very poorly organized when compared to most non-governmantal sites. I have my license and have spent hours searching on the Coast Guard site, so give the guy a break. That said, go to one of the "school" sites and they will have the requirements laid out in a much friendlier format. Anytime you mention "captains license" get ready for some flaming from some of the old salts on this site that resent anyone new trying to better themselves.
Best of luck,
__________________ Capt. Barry
'04 Donzi 23ZF w/ '08 Verado 300
'04 John Sport 15 w/ '03 Johnson 90
I agree that any website could be more user friendly, and especially a government website. But a Sea School is a good idea if you want All the information handed to you. They will also educate you if you need help on various subjects. I don't have any problem with someone getting their Capt's License, if fact I advocate mandatory licensing of some sort.
Bull I, you wanted to know if there is a format for documenting sea service? Go to the site I suggested, look at the list of links on the left hand side, scan down to applications and forms>scan down the list of downloads highlighted in blue>Small vessel sea service form. Or click here http://www.uscg.mil/STCW/downloads.htm Also, from my own experience, getting your sea service documented and these forms filled out and signed was the hardest part of the Licensing process. My time was spent on several different boats in various locations. Getting people to fill out the forms and return them was a bite in the butt.
Yes, the Coast Guard site is poorly organized and not geared to the lay-person. I have read through most of the stuff there (in the 24 minutes between posts) and I guess I know that I'll need a photo ID and regular drug tests. I guess if I wanted to be a tankerman (whatever that is) I now know the requirements.
Bull I , please accept my apology for trying to help. My intent with the suggestion for the USCG website was to give you and anyone else a resource to answer ANY question pertaining to ANY license. Again my most humble apologies. Good Luck on getting your license.
WLMM-- not a problem. You're right there's a ton of information there just not presented that well. I'm a computer programmer so I guess I see things from a different perspective.
wllm55 - 3/24/2006 12:12 PM
What site could be better? Do you mean the Coast Guard Site? The site with every form, application, requirement list and help topics that pertain to any license or document that you might desire? In the 24 minutes that elapsed from the time I posted that link to the time that you complained that the USCG website "could be better" you could not have done very much looking. All the forms are there including "Small Boat Sea Service".
If you want someone to hold your hand and lead you through the process, contact a "Sea School", dish out $1000 and let them do the work for you.
You've been a member now for what now... 72 hours, and you come across like that?
Not a great way to start off here my friend...
Bulls ... We're not all like that here.
If you have questions, just ask.
__________________ .
Capt. Kevin ~~~~~~~~~~><((((*>
100T inland license here - it's not really all that 'hard', but it is fairly time-consuming - you need to document your time, get a physical/drug test/vision test, get a current CPR/First Aid qualification, submit an application, show lots of ID, get fingerprinted, take the test, etc.
In theory, you could probably fit all the appointments and actual time at a CG office (if there's a center near you) into three days, if you had everything lined up one after another perfectly. In reality, figure on a month of back and forth, making sure your doctor has the right kind of vision test, filling out the forms, siging up for the next Red Cross First Aid and CPR cert course, taking the course, getting a drug test appt. scheduling a time for the CG exam, etc.
All that's exclusive of prepping for the exam itself - it's not 'hard' per se, at least for 100T and under tickets (it gets legitimately brutal at higher tonnages and for wider ranges), but it is shockingly specific - there's no 'skim the rules and pass the test' - they'll always ask detailed questions from the appendices to the rules (what are the correct lights for a moored barge over 100m in a designated anchorage area on the great rivers?), which you'll only know if you truly know and understand the rules. Similarly, the charting test requires you to not just plot range/set/drift very close to correct, but to select from 4 answers a couple hundred yards from each other - you either need to have a correct answer you're confident in, or you're toast - there's little opportunity for 'guessing' on this test.
Also be aware that the 'Deck General' portion of the exam is geared to those with substantial experience in larger commercial vessels - lots of questions about day tanks, free surface area in tanks, correct calculations for block and tackle, etc. Not a problem if you've worked commercial quite a bit before, but often a substantial obstacle for a recreational boater 'moving up'
There are add'l hoops to jump through if you need a radar endorsement (unlikely in this size range), firefighting cert, commercial towing endorsement, radio operator's license (almost certainly required, and is issued by the FCC, not the CG - whole separate application, test, etc.), or other add'l items.
Long story short - getting a license isn't all that big a deal. It takes a quite bit of willingness to jump through hoops, and a really good understanding of the exams and classes and how to approach them. Sea School or another CG certified outfit is a super-efficient way to deal with this, as they're set up to get it all done in one place, at one time. While not 'cheap', it's actually pretty inexpensive in terms of time and money, if you just want it done. I've never used them, as I'd worked on commercial vessels quite a bit before I got my 100T ticket at age 22, and just went and did the test, but I know many who did use them, and were pleased with the outcome.
My final note is that getting a Captain's license is much like getting a driver's license - it's a critical first step, but there's an awful lot of real-world experience you won't have yet.
Congratulations, and best of luck - a 50T Riverboat sounds like a blast. Please feel free to ask any add'l questions - I'll answer as best I can.
If you live in an area with a community college don't neglect to see what they offer. I was able to get mine through a local-yokel school in a cram course format. It was also offered over a longer period of time if you couldn't jump in feet first.
One HUGE benefit of going through a coast guard approved school is the manner in which they organize the hoops you will need to jump through with the USCG. The academics are not all that difficult, but there is plenty of stuff to absorb. The backgrounds in my class was varied and some of the guys really struggled while some breezed right through. So, take all the advice you get with a grain of salt and just get busy. You'll do fine. Also realize that there is a limit to what they can teach you. Buy the pubs ahead of time and learn as much as you can. The book work is only a small part of what you ought to know.
The USCG is an old govenmental institution, and that the events of Sept 11 have only added to it's authority and crutiny. So, you will need to dot all the I's and cross all the T's to succeed.
Here's a more-useful link from the USCG's site, that perhaps does a bit better job of addressing your question than what wllm55 offered (in a less-than-friendly tone, to boot, at least IMHO.)
I( believe) you can now get a "river Lic" which requires less hours then an Inland, near coastal,or open ocean. Good Luck
__________________ "Fair Winds and Following Seas"
Bill F
USCG 100 Ton Near Coastal Sail Endorsement
30' Penn Yan Twin 350's
24' GW Yamaha 225
18' Flats Cat Honda 90
I suggest contacting a local Sea School and they will explain what is involved and if you chose to go through the course, they will organize and review your packet prior to submittal. In years past I remember friends going to a CG REC center to find out how to go about the process. Unfortunately the staff are not always in the mood to be very helpful.
After reading Wilm55's I had to make sure I wasn't on another very popular but less hospitable site. Real helpful, bud.
Captains license 
