USCG Captain's License

[doug86]

Hey Gord, how do we make post #100 a sticky? That was a great post.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by doug86

Hey Gord, how do we make post #100 a sticky? That was a great post.

Ask a Mod' to do it. ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/team/moderators/

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by doug86

Hey Gord, how do we make post #100 a sticky? That was a great post.

Stickys are usually for a thread.... Perhaps start a new thread and make that the first post

[CaptJEF]

I charge $250 for a 4 hour private introductory lesson. Then $75 per hour.
Charters $150 for 4hours. Otherwise $20 minimum for small boat work.
$25 per splice on 3strand and double braid. This keeps me busy and well fed. Not enough to make a living but it's pay for what Imlove to do.

[Captain RJ]

I just upgraded during my renewal from 50 GRT to 100.

go here and look down the page to the tonnage calculator:

http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/checklists/M...I.pdf&B1=GO%21

Good luck,

RJ

[Mariners]

Here are some informative videos on Which License to go for, TWIC Card, Medical Dis-qualifiers, Completing your Sea Service Forms etc...
MarinersLearning's Channel - YouTube

[jboats]

Legal question about Captaining vs providing a boat for charter. As I understand there is no regulation on who can command a vessel under certain tonnages. What could stop someone from simply renting a boat to a second party so that the second party takes command for themselves? and further, what could stop that second party who is acting in command of the chartered vessel from appointing the vessels owner or any other member of the crew the duty of steering the vessel?

I haven't read through all the 6 pages this thread has generated so sorry if this has been already brought up.

J

[markpierce]

Highly doubt the legal system will accept that logic.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jboats

...As I understand there is no regulation on who can command a vessel under certain tonnages....
J

The tonnage of the vessel is irrelevant. If you are carrying "passengers for hire", or many other forms of commercial activities, then you need the appropriate ticket.

[Randy]

belizesailor is pretty much where my thoughts are. If you're trying to run a business and I have it just makes no sense to skirt legalities, it'll bite you in the ass.

[Randy]

To CapV's post, he's pretty right on though in my experience as an AB; I have found a lot of support for obtaining a mates license onboard ship and within the company and it's policies as well. The CG has also streamlined the required classes from realistically 6 mos to 6 weeks which will be reimbursed by the company upon passing the CG exam. While it's true that academy grads are picked up fairly easily, hawsepipers have and do deserve a lot of respect on a case by case basis. Picking up work on the ticket is not at all impossible though what I've seen is that licensed 3rds will join as an AB then upon demonstrating competency will be promoted to sailing as a 3rd as an opening becomes available.

[Nicholson58]

Before you go through the long effort, make sure your insurance underwriter will cover your enterprise once you have the CG credentials. We obtained ours just to be better able to obtain cruising coverage. TO carry pay guests, we would need more coverage and a heap more equipment I do not intend to buy. Cruising grounds also effect the plan. Its like so many things like this, lots of agencies want your money and control of your operation.

[jboats]

Not that I'd actually consider it, primarily because of the insurance issues and likelihood of having to establish the loophole in a ruling by a good attorney. Seems like the better bet would be to base the operation offshore on some Bahamian Island or what have you. As long as the boat is flying under that flag I'd think it would be exempt to any US agency control, right?

[DrivinSteve]

Originally Posted by jboats

Not that I'd actually consider it, primarily because of the insurance issues and likelihood of having to establish the loophole in a ruling by a good attorney. Seems like the better bet would be to base the operation offshore on some Bahamian Island or what have you. As long as the boat is flying under that flag I'd think it would be exempt to any US agency control, right?

Some/many countries will be difficult to operate in without the proper biz license and inspections. For example, The Bahamas require that you have a Bahamian national as a controlling partner. the locals want to protect their employment opportunities.
You will also likely need additional certs ($$$), for instance, STCW, drug screens, current CPR, etc. to operate legit.
All that said, go for it!

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by jboats

Not that I'd actually consider it, primarily because of the insurance issues and likelihood of having to establish the loophole in a ruling by a good attorney. Seems like the better bet would be to base the operation offshore on some Bahamian Island or what have you. As long as the boat is flying under that flag I'd think it would be exempt to any US agency control, right?

Even if in another country, the vessel will still be subject to the regulations of the country in which you operate regardless of it's country of registry (flag). For example, I hold a USCG 100-ton license, the requirements for this license are far more substantial than the requirements for a commercial Belizean Boat Master's license, but the Gov't of Belize does not care: I still must hold an appropriate Belizean license to operate in Belize. And, it is not easy for foreigners to get these commercial licenses. And, you can't just pop into another country and legally set-up shop -- establishing a business as a foreigner in another country is a major effort (some more so than others). Also, the boats I run must be registered in Belize even if foreign flagged.

I am always a little puzzled when people want conjure up complicated measures to avoid applicable regulations and licensing. I've watched people come up with convoluted schemes that are more onerous than just complying and often more expensive. I don't understand why they do this, why not just do it right in the first place?