USCG Captains License
 

Hey everone,

What all is required to get a USCG Captains License and what are the different levels of the license? (ie 100ton etc) Do you need a phyiscal? Any sites out there with good info?

Thanks,
Lance

You do need a physical and a drug test :eek:

The main difference between the licenses is the amount of time you can document on what size vessels and where it is (offshore, near shore, inland). The test is the same. There is a really good book by a guy named Charlie Wing that will tell you all you need to know and has every test question in it. There is also a testing program on CD rom that you can practice on.

I got mine at Boat US....so you better hurry:D :crazy:

What does the physical cover?

You know, just the normal stuff.

Blood pressure

heart rate

lung capacity

hearing test

vision test

anal probe with a 12" stainless steel rod

removal of 3 pints of blood

2 leaches

Oh.....and you have to give them 4 sperm samples:drool:


P.S. you also have to pass a CPR course.

COAST GUARD SITE
 

Lance,

Here is the Coast Guard site: www.uscg.mil/STCW/l-home.htm

I'm active duty Coast Guard and Maintain a 100T License. If you have any specific questions the site doesn't answer give me a call.

I'm in SOBE right now but I'll be back on Monday.

Brad

787.706.2435 or
787.525.5054

The book that insptech mentioned is really good-- the CD alone is worth the cost.

My dad and I are taking ours in FEB, he should pass with flying colors he has been boating 40+yrs. I am hoping I can pull it off.

USCG ordinary seamen
 

I got my 100 ton at New England Maritime in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

I recommend that place with out reservation.

It took like 4 months and I went 4 nights a week.

You can take the test just by studying, but I feel taking a course results in a lot more knowledge.

When I went, I had about 10 years experience in relatively large boats. With the exception of maybe two guys, I was the least experienced in the class. I learned a lot from the old salty leatherskinned fishermen and tug boat drivers.

Just remember, don't lie on your sea service letters. The Coast Guard guy's aren't dummies.

Good Luck...

I got my 100T in 1999. There are basically 2 ways to get your "ticket". First study on you’re own with mail order courses and go to you’re local REC (Regional Examination Center) and sit for your license (not fun). The second way is to use a private approved school take their course and take the test there. I tried the mail order thing on 2 separate occasions and never got up to speed. Finally wrote the check to have knowledgeable people guide me through the whole process study, testing, documentation and finally the application. Time and $ well spent. I'm certain I would have not made it through the 1st time on my at the REC.
A nifty aspect of having your Merchant Marine License is you will also be signed up in the MM Reserve. I always thought it would be funny to see all these documented boats heading to the Local Coast Guard for a commission in the coastal patrol. Maybe they will let me drive my own and they would pay for the fuel. Put-In-Bay could be the first line of defense against the Axis of Snow to our North.