Coastal Navigation Course

electricaldoctor said:
I don't know why that upsets you Sandy. An Admiral always outranks the Captain.
https://www.federalpay.org/military/navy/ranks
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Oh I know and I don't want to start a whole thing but trust me when I say that most of the time I've heard women referred to as "the Admiral" it hasn't been because she's considered to be knowledgeable, respected and admired. It's generally used to describe a women who might be trying to exert some sort of influence or control in situations while on a boat.

Between my husband and myself I'm the one who has far more interest and knowledge about the mechanical aspects related to our boat. I'm the one who does the research and troubleshooting when we have issues related to most things on board. I'm the one who rolls up my sleeves, put my hair in a ponytail and jumps into the engine room when we have an emergency. When we're in a group of men and someone who doesn't know us starts asking about something mechanical related to our boat, 99% of the time they speak to my husband as if I wasn't even there. Thankfully he's very proud of me and always points in my direction and says, "You'd better ask my wife!".

So yeah, please don't call me the Admiral! On our boat, we're both Captains.

Sandy
 
Regardless of my pay grade, I'm just the lowly Captain who steers the ship in the direction that the Admiral points. This pleases her so I've learned to grow a thick skin and life is good no matter what anyone thinks about it. There will never be more than one Captain on our boat as there will never be more than one Admiral. The division of responsibilities on our boat has never had anything to do with the naval ranking system. So far, nobody has ever had to walk the plank.
 
Sandy

For what it’s worth, I think you should find a local oupv instructor who has good recommendations. I learned a ton in the OUPV class and am taking the masters shortly. While you can do it online, the discussions in class about your area is valuable and consider it a “bonus.” You can also take the info you learn and expand on it more then the class may require.

I learned lots in the class and much like Bill I wanted more info so I purchased some of the books, charts, and materials used in the class so I could understand each Concept fully.

It is a heck of a time commitment but you will be impressed with the knowledge once your done. Then you can pick some specific courses maybe just in navigation from the power squadron and really deep dive without having to learn the basics.

FYI. My class was 3 weekends and it was tough trying to work and study during the week.

Franks comments about the difficulty of obtaining an license is true. You now have to have a TWIC card, marine physical, drug screen, 1st aid certification, passport, certificate of completion from the uscg approved class, and a lengthy application (mine was 32 pages). The costs add up with all of those items as well so keep that in mind if you actually want a license.

Josh
 
sandydlc said:
Hi Frank!

So for someone who is just wanting to expand their knowledge and experience but does not intend to use a license as a means of increasing your income, is the notion of "proportional liability" enough of a deterrent to *not* get one's captain's license?

And is it awful that part of my reason for wanting my captain's license is that I'm tired of being referred to as the (very often derogatory) "Admiral"?

Thank you!

Sandy
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Sandy,

You can take the course (get a certificate) and not apply for the Captains license. Keep in mind that the course and successful passage is just one of the elements required for the Captains lic. It's been about 6 or 7 years ago that I got mine - at that time you needed a Transportation Worker card (which involves a background security check and $$), a physical, and documented proof of the minimum days at sea plus successful completion of the course. Then you submit everything to the USCG.

I think passing the test gets you what you're looking for; knowledge base and the certificate. Also think about another aspect: My wife was considered a "captain" by all of our dock mates because she docked our 42' without a scratch or any yelling. Both the men and women on the dock were impressed and never considered her a 'bystander' on the boat.

Tony

EDIT: Ooops I should have read an earlier post from "Notherdecision" the requirements were already posted.
 
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While deciding on a direction regarding formal training, if you don't have a copy of Chart Book # 1 already - might grab a copy - it is a valuable resource for learning more about coastal cruising.

Very dry reading - it describes charts. Useful as a reference tool.

When we took our first trip boating in the San Juan islands and I started looking at charts in advance - there was a symbol that I had never run into on the east coast. Normal for you guys up there.

It was the symbol on the charts for where the current crosses between the channels running through the islands. Went to my handy Chart #1 book and easily looked it up.
 
sandydlc said:
Hi Frank!

So for someone who is just wanting to expand their knowledge and experience but does not intend to use a license as a means of increasing your income, is the notion of "proportional liability" enough of a deterrent to *not* get one's captain's license?

And is it awful that part of my reason for wanting my captain's license is that I'm tired of being referred to as the (very often derogatory) "Admiral"?

Thank you!

Sandy
Click to expand...


As I said in a previous post, I think anything you do to broaden your knowledge boating, laws, rules, procedures, etc. just makes you a better and safer boater. You can take a course.......and I favor real class room sources taught by experienced instructors over online courses simply because there is a guy in the front of the room to whom you can ask questions. It is interesting how many potential conflicts in the rules of the road there are until you understand the big picture and grasp the rules in total.

You can certainly do the course work and even sit for the test, just don't submit the application for license to the USCG.

The other thing to consider is a state safe boating course. For example, Florida has (or had at one time) an excellent correspondence course that qualified you for t heir in-state licensing program.

Finally, this topic is about the USCG captains course...it isn't about being a competent captain on the water. There is no substitute for time on the water in complex boating areas or with another more experienced Captain. For example, I have been fortunate to have spent a good number of days on the water with Capt. Rusty Higgins. I know he gets tired of my "What if?" questions, but every time I am with him I see something I never seen before or am presented with a situation I've never encountered on the NW Gulf Coast.......and I've been running boats in coastal areas for 35 years.
 
fwebster said:
As I said in a previous post, I think anything you do to broaden your knowledge boating, laws, rules, procedures, etc. just makes you a better and safer boater. You can take a course.......and I favor real class room sources taught by experienced instructors over online courses simply because there is a guy in the front of the room to whom you can ask questions. It is interesting how many potential conflicts in the rules of the road there are until you understand the big picture and grasp the rules in total.

You can certainly do the course work and even sit for the test, just don't submit the application for license to the USCG.

The other thing to consider is a state safe boating course. For example, Florida has (or had at one time) an excellent correspondence course that qualified you for t heir in-state licensing program.

Finally, this topic is about the USCG captains course...it isn't about being a competent captain on the water. There is no substitute for time on the water in complex boating areas or with another more experienced Captain. For example, I have been fortunate to have spent a good number of days on the water with Capt. Rusty Higgins. I know he gets tired of my "What if?" questions, but every time I am with him I see something I never seen before or am presented with a situation I've never encountered on the NW Gulf Coast.......and I've been running boats in coastal areas for 35 years.
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Thank you Frank, this is really helpful. I have taken (and passed) the Washington State boating course several years ago. We've been boaters since about 2000 and I agree with what you say in regards to learning something new every time we're on the water.

I will probably do the online course and then follow up with in-class sessions in the fall if I can find a class that doesn't conflict with my work schedule. I've also found that belonging to a yacht club has also been invaluable for learning from others with more experience than us.

This discussion has been great!

Thanks,
Sandy
 
FootballFan said:
While deciding on a direction regarding formal training, if you don't have a copy of Chart Book # 1 already - might grab a copy - it is a valuable resource for learning more about coastal cruising.

Very dry reading - it describes charts. Useful as a reference tool.

When we took our first trip boating in the San Juan islands and I started looking at charts in advance - there was a symbol that I had never run into on the east coast. Normal for you guys up there.

It was the symbol on the charts for where the current crosses between the channels running through the islands. Went to my handy Chart #1 book and easily looked it up.
Click to expand...
Most boaters I know have never seen one. Perhaps it's a generational thing and an over reliance on chartplotters? I've had and used it for years. I found it particularly useful when we were cruising in different areas and I needed a refresher.

Great reference manual.
 
Great discussion. I've had my 50GT Master since 2009, and have been sitting on the fence regarding another renewal. I'd encourage anybody to get the learning and bragging rights. Having said that, I'm not sure if I want to jump through another set of hoops for the renewal.

I thought having the credential would be helpful for obtaining insurance, but never found that to be the case. Even with the bigger carriers, I'd mention that I have the OUPV/Master, and they'd ask when my last boat safety class was.

I also considered doing some deliveries in retirement, but am tired of surprises with other people's boats. I'd like to spend my retirement not worrying about CG medicals and other liabilities.
 
Kameroo said:
Great discussion. I've had my 50GT Master since 2009, and have been sitting on the fence regarding another renewal. I'd encourage anybody to get the learning and bragging rights. Having said that, I'm not sure if I want to jump through another set of hoops for the renewal.

I thought having the credential would be helpful for obtaining insurance, but never found that to be the case. Even with the bigger carriers, I'd mention that I have the OUPV/Master, and they'd ask when my last boat safety class was.

I also considered doing some deliveries in retirement, but am tired of surprises with other people's boats. I'd like to spend my retirement not worrying about CG medicals and other liabilities.
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Not an insurance underwriter, so just speaking as a boater. I can see why an insurance company would not offer any discounts for a commercial license. From the insurance company perspective - actually increases risk relative to dollars involved in an accident involving another boat.
 
sandydlc said:
Thank you Frank, this is really helpful. I have taken (and passed) the Washington State boating course several years ago. We've been boaters since about 2000 and I agree with what you say in regards to learning something new every time we're on the water.

I will probably do the online course and then follow up with in-class sessions in the fall if I can find a class that doesn't conflict with my work schedule. I've also found that belonging to a yacht club has also been invaluable for learning from others with more experience than us.

This discussion has been great!

Thanks,
Sandy
Click to expand...

Hi Sandy, if you do decide to take the course I highly recommend Flagship Maritime Training, Skip Anderson is a retired Naval Officer and the classroom is the way to go. They are based in Tacoma, but several times a year they do classes at guest locations. The information is conveyed in a way for educational development not coaching just to pass the test. I have been boating since I was 12 on Puget Sound and was amazed at how little I really knew. https://www.facebook.com/flagshipmaritimetraining/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
 
sandydlc said:
Hi Frank!

So for someone who is just wanting to expand their knowledge and experience but does not intend to use a license as a means of increasing your income, is the notion of "proportional liability" enough of a deterrent to *not* get one's captain's license?

And is it awful that part of my reason for wanting my captain's license is that I'm tired of being referred to as the (very often derogatory) "Admiral"?

Thank you!

Sandy
Click to expand...
Sandy,

My wife was always mocked a bit about her boating and knowledge skills until the day that our fellow dock mates saw her bring our 42' sailboat into the dock perfectly (in a cross wind). Note: all of the other wives on the dock have just a casual interest so that really impressed the other captains even more. So while the book knowledge is great, I'd also recommend the practical side.
 
Wish my wife would show that much interest.
 
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