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Random Quote: Its a bird! Its a bird! No, wait! Its a flying FISH...WTF!
going to take the course from tcc, is this pretty a tough course? Mostly for my own education and i will probably charter in my spare time for stripers mainly when my lawn business is slow like this time of year.
D...you will have to study, there is a lot to remember. Lots will say that Nav/ploting is the hardest, once I got that it wasn't bad at all. Rules of the road...LOTS to remember. One of the best classes I ever took, enjoyed it a lot.
David
BTW...I may be a little late ( not much if any )Thurs morning depending on traffic and getting the boss lady's butt moving that early
__________________ 198 Carolina Skiff 115 sussie " Don't Panic "
21' Logic 130 Johnson " Country Logic "
I've gone to find myself. if I should return before I get back please ask me to wait
I don't know what a TCC is but if its an accredited Capt. License study course it probabaly wont be too bad;they wouldn't be in business if everyone flunked the exam. I sat for my exam without taking a course & it was a pain...as a matter of fact,the one thing I thought I would ace (rules of the road) I had to retest for THREE times (& drive 200 miles each time)because I missed it by one question. I'm glad THATS behind me. I've forgotten about 90% of what I learned!
Good luck!
I don't know what a TCC is but if its an accredited Capt. License study course it probabaly wont be too bad;they wouldn't be in business if everyone flunked the exam. I sat for my exam without taking a course & it was a pain...as a matter of fact,the one thing I thought I would ace (rules of the road) I had to retest for THREE times (& drive 200 miles each time)because I missed it by one question. I'm glad THATS behind me. I've forgotten about 90% of what I learned!
Good luck!
One addition,a six-pack might be a little easier. I sat for the inspected license & it had a couple more additional sections than the 6-pack.
If you can document your sea time, I'd go for the Masters vs. 6 pack. Only 10 more questions I believe. If you've owned a boat for several years, you can document your own sea time. I initially got my 25 Ton Masters and have since upgraded to 50 Ton.
__________________
2005 McKee 23 TE/FS with 200 Zukes
50 Ton Masters with Towing Endorsement.
thanks for the inputs, david, didn't know you were on the hull truth also, small world, u might not be boatless for long, i may be boatless for a little while though, not too long if i can help it!!! i always got my skiff... see you wed..
I took the course through Sea School, they broke it all down and made it easy, as long as you can froget everything you know and understand that they are giving you the info that you need to pass the test. People seem to argue with them about why they do things the way they do, and they were the ones that had the worst time. Also since you own a boat you can document your own sea time, as long as you can provide a valid registration for your boat. The class isnt half as hard as you think. You said you might use it only for stripers, dont limit yourself, take the class that will let you go offshore also.
If you're looking just to pass the test, then by all means go to one of the weekend sea schools. They'll give you all the info needed to pass THEIR tests (they are licensed by the USCG to administer the tests.) I know a few guys who've told me the class they were in had a 97% pass rate!
I went the other way, albeit a much harder path. Went to a school two nights a week, four hours each night for four months. They gave ALL info needed to pass up to a 100 ton master (if you had the required time on a sizeable craft.)
Then onto the USCG facility in Baltimore for the testing procedure. Five separate sections (took the towing endorsement test.) Rules of the road are the hardest. 33 questions, any more than 4 wrong, need to retest another day.
Took me most of the day, but I passed all sections, one by the skin of my drawers. I always considered myself pretty intelligent, but they were some of the hardest exams I ever had taken, but believe me, once you pass, you'll feel very proud of your accomplishment.
Some of the courses out there they try to cram everything in just a week or two weekends. Then you study and come back to take the test. I went to a school last year, we met once a week from January-May. They actually taught a course, gave you homework, then gave you the test, and I felt that I learned alot. They took the time to make sure the students learned the material. I went for the masters license with towing endorsement.
Going for the Masters in my school this equalled out to 75 more questions on the test just for the masters upgrade. Sounds like it's only 10 more questions if you take the USCG exam.
I went through American Boat School www.amboatschool.com and was extremely happy with the instruction material and the instructor.
__________________ "A boat is a hole in the water, surrounded by fiberglass, into which you throw money"
I do believe that TCC just partners with one of the Commercial Captains courses. I think it is Hampton Roads Maritime Academy, or something like that.
I was all signed up for that course at TCC. Then, I called up with a simple question, and I was passed from person to person to person, and nobody there seemed to have much idea of the licensing process.
It spooked me; I just got a bad feeling about them.
I called up another school, CMTI, and Bang, they knew the answer to every question I had, right off the top of their head. It was just night and day from the TCC people.
I withdrew from TCC and instead I took the 100 ton Course at CMTI up in Hayes, VA. I think it was a few bucks more, But I CAN say that I was very happy with the folks up at CMTI.
Mind you, I have nothing bad to say about the TCC course, I never took it,
Just that I was very happy with CMTI.
As far as your question "is it difficult?” Well, it ain't easy, but ANYONE can do it if you pay attention and really read and study.
I you really do have the experience to qualify for the seatime, then you should pretty much know all the basics before you start. It is all just common sense, but they really drill you on it and make it easy to pass the test.
I took the ten-day straight version, and I think it was the way to go, just immerse yourself in it,
Your job may not allow you to do it that way, but I liked it like that.
The limited tonnage Masters license vs OPUV (6 pack) is really the way to go and can be upgraded as you gain experience on larger tonnage.
Don't be scared off by the application process it is easy to get overwhelmed but just follow the paperwork and you will get approved to take the test. Whether you use a prep school, go it alone or purchase a prep course is a matter of personal choice. Good luck.
Don't cheat yourself and take a cram course, I went to New England Maritime in Hyannis.
I sat for the full program and it was one of the best courses I have ever taken. The instructors are patient, knowledgable, and down to earth (not teaching from soap boxes). They are very thorough.
Also, do the Master's License. You'll have more options down the road if you choose and it's only another 10 questions and three nights of class. There are always guys with 6 Pack licenses coming back to upgrade to the Master's so do it right the first time, and good luck.
__________________ Seems there are more people riding in the wagon these days and far fewer pulling
capt license 6 pack 
