6 Pack Captains License Question

[tara11]

Hi All,
I am thinking about getting as 6 pack captains license just for fun for now and to have in case later I want to pursue it as a way to work, I am on the west coast and was wondering if anyone has any words of encouragement.

I have found a few sites on the internet that offer complete classes from start to finish for about $600.00 or less, just do not know if they are scams or for real, any advise would be much helpful.

Craig

 

[Cast-A-Way]

You basically need 4 things to get your license.

Book learning to pass the Captains test
Sea time
Medical
ID requirements (passport or birth certificate etc) security check gets done on this and takes awhile

The one that takes the longest time is usually "sea time" You can use time in a recreational boat. I used time in a 17 foot whaler while coaching and had my then employer verify the period of my employment and use of the boat during that time.

SeaSchool does a good job in shepherding people through the process and one of the advantages with them is that they review all the book material you need to know and also teach you navigation skills if you need help with that and then usually you can take the test with them too.

If you pass the test with them, then they give you all the paper work verifying that you passed the required course work and also guide you through all the other stuff....like medical, sea time record, medical and security clearance. You then take all the paperwork that they have guided you through, or provided for you and go to the CG and they review it and give you your license. (VERY IMPORTANT....keep duplicates of everything)

This web site gives a good summary of the different license and the requirements.

http://capmel.com/Capt_license_basic_requirements.htm

Here is another school (other than SeaSchool) that I just found on the web. It might be of interest to you or you could compare price and time req'd to SeaSchool

http://www.marinersschool.com/license/operator.htm

 

[tara11]

Cool, thanks for taking the time to write all that, I am looking into it and check it all out, but you said bascally all I have read at this one site , thanks again.

 

[Megabyte]

I am a SeaSchool graduate and can vouch for the quality of their instruction.
I completed the OUPV (6-pak) portion, then upgraded to a masters ticket with a towing endorsement. You might not care for the endorsements, but the masters upgrade was well worth the effort.

As Cast-A-Way said, the process is loaded with paperwork and specific requirements. In addition to recording your sea time and passing the exams, the CG now also requires a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credentials) card, so figure that into your to-do list.

What I'm trying to say is that the preparatory schools are the way to go, but by the time you complete all the requirements for your license, you will have considerably more than $600 invested.

You can get more information from these links:

http://www.seaschool.com/
http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/
http://www.mmts.com/licens.htm
http://www.nauticalschool.com/
http://www.marinerslearningsystem.com/home.php
http://www.captainsschool.com/

 

[mrGeeze]

i took the class in february and got my license about 2 months ago.
i took the course from
http://www.wegivethetest.com/

I believe they are mostly east coast & midwest.
It was one week, start on monday, take the test saturday.
along the way we knocked out the cpr and physical.
They work hard to get you ready for the test.

They were definitely a first class bunch. Not cheap but worth every penny

Even if you don't use them the website above has a great checklist for assembling all the docs you need. Keep organized with the paperwork or it will drive you nuts

make sure you have adequate sea time before you start.

The TWIC, physical, application, etc will add $3-500 over the course.
Its not cheap, make sure you want it.

 

[Bryan 2530]

I got my six pack almost 15 years ago, I have since "parked" it because it is no longer economically viable to run charters part time with all the hoops you need to jump through in my opinion.

Unless you are going full time charter, why bother. The test is so watered down now, it no longer holds any value as far as experience.