Why not do it? Many of us with considerable boating experience often wonder what is involved in becoming a "captain" or better put, taking the "Coast Guard Exam". We often see ads enticing us to take a course, obtain a variety of printed literature, or purchase computer-based programs designed to prepare us for the examination .
If you are motivated and have a sincere desire to accomplish this goal there is no reason why you cannot. Let's take a look at some of the requirements you will have to meet in order to qualify to take the examination. You must first prove you have the time on the water required by the Coast Guard. The minimum time for a Masters license is 360 days, 90 of which must be within three years preceding the application date. It will be necessary to document your time on a vessel. This can be accomplished by proof of ownership of a vessel or a letter from an owner of a vessel on which you have served. There are numerous license types, including OUPV (operator of an uninspected vessel) the better known "six pack license", Mate licenses for inland and near coastal waters and licenses limiting the operator to camps, yacht clubs, school and marinas. In the packet you will receive from the Coast Guard all of these license types and qualifications are listed.
You must also have current certificates for first aid and CPR training. If you do not, they are offered by the American Red Cross on a regular basis in most communities. It makes sense; your passengers are your responsibility as captain of a vessel and you should know what to do in the event of a medical emergency. A physical exam is required within twelve months prior to the application date and must include a hearing test, visual acuity test and general physical condition. Chemical testing for dangerous drugs is also required and must be done by a laboratory approved by the Department of Transportation (a list is included in the application packet). Proof of United State citizenship, except for applications for an OUPV license, a National Driver Registration consent form, finger printing and a complete application and you are on your way to being approved to take the exam. From experience there seem to be "other " details that come along during the process. Trying to prove ownership of a vessel owned twenty five years ago can be a task!
The examination is usually divided into four parts. They are: Rules and Regulations, Deck General and Safety, Navigation General and Chart Plotting. The experienced mariner will have a good understanding of some of this material. The Rules and Regulations part of the test is not "open book" and you must score a 90 or better to pass! You must know the "rules of the road". The terminology used is very important. A "long blast " of the whistle (not horn) is different from a "prolonged blast". There are International Rules and there are Inland Rules and you must know the differences between them - not as difficult as you may think.
The next is Navigation General. Some of the topics in this section include day marks, buoys, charts, weather, tides and currents, and compass. Deck General and Deck Safety; a knowledge of documents and regulations, vessel handling, anchoring, docking, rescue, fire, radio, first aid and machinery is looked for in this part of the exam. You are permitted to use reference books made available by the Coast Guard for each of these parts. They include the Codes of Federal Regulations pertaining to your exam, the Light List, Coast Pilot and a useful glossary in Bowditch.
The last part is the actual chart work. You must be able to plot positions on a chart using latitude and longitude, determine speed made good, course made good, course to steer, estimated time of arrival, compass deviation, positioning based upon three bearings and considerations of set and drift of the current.
Obtaining your license may seem a monumental task. But it is simply a process taken one step at a time.
My suggestion to all aspiring captains is to make the commitment. Evaluate your own skills. Have you been on the water enough to not only meet the requirements of the Coast Guard but to feel confident with your own knowledge and skills? That is the beginning. Many captains that I have spoken with feel that the most difficult part, and tedious, is the application process. It took me weeks to search records to prove ownership of a documented vessel I had owned twenty five years ago! Plan your approach. You may prefer the structure of a classroom. There are courses offered to help you prepare. It is very rare that any course can prepare you for the exam in two weekends or so. They can however, add organization to your study plan and supply you with exam questions, texts and other helpful printed material. Plan to study at least a few hours a week. Pick a time when you will not be disturbed and can devote your full concentration to the task at hand. Recopy, in your own notebook the rules of the road. Make an audio tape of the rules and play it in you car on the way to work. Test yourself frequently by using the available books of test questions (yes, the same ones used by the Coast Guard). Roll out the charts, tape them to the dining room table and do chart problems over and over and over!
The most important aspect of this whole procedure is that you are learning. As I frequently tell my students in the classroom: knowledge will lead you to the grades you desire as well as a great deal of satisfaction that you know what you are doing. Don't study to pass a test. Study to learn and become a better and safer mariner. Good sailing, Captain!
