U.S.C.G. Capt. License :
Capt. Phil is right on. Document your sea time. If you work for a company, they will also confirm your sea time from their computer records.
( For those interested in earning their U.S.C.G. License )
with a 100 ton U.S.C.G Merchant Marine Officers License. You will be able
to take out more than six passengers for compensation or hire.
I needed 720 days , at sea documented sea time. ( that took 5 years ) I also listed many of the different types of vessels, sail and
motor vessels along with the State
registration numbers, or U.S.
documentation numbers, type and
LOA of each vessel and areas sailed, world wide.
Nothing was awarded, not even close. That information, along with other
required documents was turned into the U.S.C.G testing officer in charge at the
U.S.C.G Testing Facility .
He looked over it, and asked me if I wanted to go for the 100 ton .
" Yes Sir ."
Again, nothing was awarded, I sat for the many different sections or evolutions,
of the written exams, I believe there were six separate exams the first day, and most of the tests needed 90% to pass. Some others were 70 %
If you did not pass a test section, YOU WERE DONE FOR THE DAY, and could
not continue, but could return the next day, to retake that section. You could not advance to the following test section until the failed test was passed.
If you did not pass on the second attempt, you had to wait for 30 days, do some more study, etc, and then return the U.S.C.G TESTING FACILITY. And
continue on going thru and passing all of those exams.
i passed all of those sections, one after another and that took a near full day.
That was enough for one day.
the next day, I came back to take and pass the
NAVIGATION section . 90% required.
At that time the USCG, Typed up and personally handed me the 100 ton license.
You are not finished. That 100 ton license expires after 5 years, and you have to
renew, with documented sea time, and or a written test.
When i first started out 30 plus years ago, renewal required both the
current sea time and a written exam.
That changed slightly over the years, and now it may just be documented sea
time if you have it.
I worked under the auspices of my licenses, Instructor, charter capt. flotilla leader, and deliver
skipper, Fantastic life. Great people and grand
adventures.
If you truly want to earn your U.S.C.G Merchant Marine Officer License, get that
sea time documented, study, and be prepared. They also have private
U.S.C.G test prep schools to help prepare for that beast of a test.
Also, one last tip....The U.S.C.G. is a Military Organization, keep military bearing , and being organized in mind.
Fair winds and following seas and success in whatever path you chose.