Getting Started

[HeatherW]

I found the right school to get my boat license. It took me awhile to figure out where to start. There are so many ways to go about it that I'm not sure which is what. I know that no matter where I go or what job. They all want you to have AB. But after that is it all about getting a job after that in order to get sea time? to be able to upgrade? I know I want to sail my own boat and work on a cruise ship or yacht not necessarily being the captain of a big boat but being in the pilot house plotting or driving? What job is that?

[denverd0n]

I think you need to take a deep breath, step back, and decide what it is that you want, and what it is that you're asking. You seem to be all over the place. You want a captain's license, but then you just want to be on the bridge, but you want to own and sail your own boat, but you want a job (though I can't figure out what kind of a job). And how can you possibly know that you have "found the right school" when you are still completely unclear about what kind of job you want?

Seriously. You need to slow down and focus!

[HeatherW]

Thanks for that...

I want a job in the navigation's department. Basically anything to do with being a quartermaster.

I didn't know where to start looking for a school like that. I gathered information saying that I should start by obtaining an able seaman license. So I've found Chapman seamanship school. Where I will only graduate with a AB 100 ton certification. I'm having trouble understanding everything.

[HeatherW]

Being an operator seems more to my understanding of what I want to shoot for..
Do you how I'm suppose to start and what actions I need to take to obtain a operator license? (OUPV)

[JohnT]

Join the navy or CG and work your way from the bottom up!

[HeatherW]

I was in the Navy a Quartermaster 3 years ago

[Kevin84]

Originally Posted by HeatherW

I was in the Navy a Quartermaster 3 years ago

Then you should qualify for a skills waiver. As long as your DD-214 shows your rating as a QM, you should be good to go.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by HeatherW

I was in the Navy a Quartermaster 3 years ago

With a QM and your sea time you can probably get your AB and 100 ton masters license. Pop STCW on there and you're good to go.

A big reality check though is that if you want to be in the wheelhouse of an upper tonnage boat, you need to go to a four year maritime academy, starting now.