Six Pack License

raefordbrown · 10-08-2009, 01:50 PM

Has anyone had any experience with the Mariners Learning System Online Course for a 6-pack license? I ahve a little time and have decided it's about time I got mine. 40-plus years of boating, diving, and fishing...and, since I am semi-retired...I think I want to get my license, whether I use it for anything, or not. I firmly believe that I cannot learn enough about anything in one lifetime...but, I am going to try.

swampdogg · 10-11-2009, 12:39 PM

I did it...it was a good program, but not very interactive, more like an online book. The way it is structured, it is a bunch of quizzes (taken online) in each of the 4 sections, Rules of the Road, Deck General, Chart Plotting, and Seamanship. I does a good job of preparing you for the tests, but I now wish I had just taken the one week class and be done with it. It took me about 2 months because I would do a section and then get busy doing something else. So when it was time to take the proctored test, I had to go back and study it all over again. I figured with all my boating experience, I didn't need to study the Deck General and Seamanship sections and focused on the Rules of the Road and Plotting. I passed 3 and missed the Deck general section by one question. That cost me a trip to Annapolis just to re-take that one section. I studied for it, and after a 5 hour drive, I completed the test in 20 minutes and got a 97.

Moral of the story....study it, even if you think you know it.

But I would recommend the online course to anyone not afflicted with ADD and who has the discipline to sit down and do the work without an instructor pushing you.

yknot fishing · 10-12-2009, 06:54 PM

seaschool was on the money good class they took the time to make sure everyone understood the materal

Trick C · 10-13-2009, 02:26 PM

Yes, I just recently completed the course and the proctored exam. If you are wanting to learn it, you will be successful. Don't take the material for granted, I agree with Swampdogg, "study it, even if you think you know it." Rules of the Road requires the most studying. Good luck.

captdbt · 10-15-2009, 02:13 PM

Get off the computer and go to Sea School.
DT

Libra · 10-15-2009, 09:36 PM

Raeford - You should be able to get your Masters vs. 6 pak. You have the seatime and size for at least a 25 ton Masters, perhaps a 50 Ton.

cpopper81 · 10-27-2009, 11:31 AM

The schools are worth the money. I work on a petrolem barge and the schools basically teach you the test they are given. heard of some guys taking the test at the REC and having some trouble being the coast guards test is kinda out dated. I went to world wide marine training to get my AB which is basically a six pack as far as the test goes and it was easy.

raefordbrown · 11-05-2009, 07:27 AM

Thanks, all. I think I'll start with the 6 Pack. And, given that I can easily get side tracked, I am looking at a 7 day school in Morehead in January. A week later, they give the test.
Yes, I have a lot of experience (most of it is "practical"), but one can never learn too much. The day I stop learning is the day they tack the lid down. My idea is to expand my knowledge, not just reach out and grab a license.
Hope to see you on the high seas.
Raeford

Jonafare · 11-06-2009, 06:53 PM

Sea School is the ticket.