Online Captain's training courses?

I obtained my 50 Ton Master's license 9 years ago (1 renewal and another upcoming). I did waste $50 for an online training course and it was a joke. The $900 I spent for classroom training @ Flagship Maritime in Tacoma Wa. was worth every penny. I have been on the water since I was 12 years old and amount knowledge that I acquired in class really was an eye-opener on how little I actually knew. Take the course in a classroom with fellow students and enjoy the interaction with others.
 
I think I would benefit from the class, on my list of to-do. "My" choice is not to proceed to license. But no doubt there is a lot I can learn.

I hope none of my comments are perceived as "anti" training.
 
Gotta love CSR. I thought I’d get a few messages of encouragement and some opinions pro and con but did not anticipate such a lively exchange. Thanks to everyone that is participating in the discussion. I was hoping to find out how many of us have sought formal education for self edification never intending on practicing professionally.
If so have you seen a benefit in your insurance premiums?
Carpe Diem all
 
Yeah, that part sucked. 5% Savings on Insurance... Roughly $100/year. Since not using for business purposes, expected brake even point.... never. Their explanation was they already took into consideration based on about 35+ years experience.
 
I inquired with my insurance, only benefit was safe boaters course. No additional discounts above that.
 
No insurance savings for me when I got my OUPV Near Shore. They said my rate was already super good. Ha!
 
FootballFan said:
I inquired with my insurance, only benefit was safe boaters course. No additional discounts above that.
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ZZ13 said:
No insurance savings for me when I got my OUPV Near Shore. They said my rate was already super good. Ha!
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Many years ago I tried to get my deductibles for home and auto raised to $3000 instead of $1000. Seemed logical. They were not structured to even offer something like that, so they would let me up the deductible but I received no corresponding discount. If it was not in their program, it did not even exist in their world no matter how logical it was.

MM
 
When I was renewing insurance for the boat this past winter I tried to raise my deductible, they would not let me.
 
ZZ13 said:
No insurance savings for me when I got my OUPV Near Shore. They said my rate was already super good. Ha!
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Yeah I kind of figured on that. I’m going to see there is something locally. We have the Maritime Acadamy which is part of the Cal State university system just down the street from the boat
 
real boating humor that made me say..wtf????

Was in the Florida Keys some time ago doing a photo shoot on some SR yachts. Rain day came in so photo crew called off the day of shooting. A couple of us dudes, having nothing to do, decided to rent kayaks and go paddling around the Mangroves....So here I am standing at the table where the lad who was taking money and assigning boards was. He said to the few of us there that in order to rent a kayak, a boating safety card was required. Even said that it did not matter which state issued the card, but one per renter was needed. I got up to the table and he asked for my card, to which I replied, "I do not have a boaters safety card" and of course his reply was that I was not allowed to rent a kayak. In lieu of treating him like a useless deck hand, I politely said that instead of the safety card, I could show him a USCG Master's license, and of course the youngster said, that is not accepted, it had to be the safety card. Now I have the film crew dudes laughing behind me because I am walking away empty handed. One of the young men on the film crew stepped up and said. " I have a safety card, can I use it to rent the Captain a ride" .....how embarrassing, but the crew had a good laugh at the old captain's expense, so all good.
Few hours online course overruled a many a day sitting in classrooms and testing, supported by over a thousand days at Sea......Now, how cool is that license you seek??? I think I lost all my testosterone right then and there, standing at a table being vetted by a teenager and left wanting. Millennials, can't communicate with them, and supposedly we're not allowed to keelhaul the little *&$%&@*%'s anymore!

Please try to have a good day !

Capt. R
 
Getting the license is on my To Do list. I have visions (in retirement) of shuttling boats for local brokers or delivering/transporting boats up and down the coast. I’ve got a lot more experience to gain before I hit the classroom - and more years to work the 9-5 before this becomes reality. Point is, I love these sorts of educational experiences. When I coached youth soccer, I loved the training. When I refereed, I loved the training and interaction with others. I even took (and enjoyed) the boaters’ safety course, even though I was old enough to not have to. So getting the license is definitely on my list. Who knows whether I’ll ever earn a dime with it? But I’ll enjoy the learning.
 
Capt. Rusty Higgins said:
Great Job Mikey !!!!!......I know you have the required time at sea, filling out the application to the USCG should go easy.


Capt. Rusty
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Thanks Capt. - had enough for near coastal so that was good! Looking for experience on bigger boats so I can upgrade at renewal in 5 yrs.....So if you know anyone that needs a bilge boy.......
 
MonacoMike said:
Congrats!

MM
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Thanks! - even have my first gig lined up (sorta LOL - no pay) - A friend asked me to help his girlfriend move her 340DA from Providence to Boston....She is more than capable, but would prefer to have someone else along that could run the boat in the event she needed a break.
 
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