[outrageous21]

I am going to sign up Monday for the sea school classes for the OUPV 6 pack license.
Is there anything I should know? Have any of you taken the classes?
I will be goin in April for the two weeks of fri sat and sun, in Franklin Square. I just dont know what to expect so any advice would be appreciated.
Maybe before the test I can post a study group topic and some of you can give me some pointers. There is a lot of knowledge on this site. Thanks

Rob

 

[Captneilf]

Good fortune with your quest.

Go with an open mind, listen to everything they say and study your bone off.

Capt Neil

 

[captmj]

Capt Neil has said it right. Go in there with an open mind and just pay attention and try to absorb what they offer. You learn quite a bit, no all of which any of us can remember, at least not me. It is a great course and very complete. If you can go in with a blank slate and let them guide you, you will do fine.

Good Luck!

 

[baywatch]

I did Sea School

Have you done any reading prior to starting this? Like Chapmans or looked at Nautical Chart #1.

Do you have your First Aide and CPR certificate yet?

Your going to need dividers, parrallels ( Large one if you can get it especially for this course) and artist erasers for the charts, (they leave no marks when you make a mistake) also mechanical pencils. Also a calculater, small is fine.

A suggestion I would make is get a tape recorder not only for class but to make your own tapes and lay down and listen to them afte your burnt out by reading.( called sub liminal studying and it does work)

Rules of the road is the toughest part, have to write at least a 90 one 30 question test, that leaves you 3 wrong.

When I did the plotting part I did what I knew that were right and then went back to do the rest.

For lighting configurations I got a black notepad and assorted colored dots, (yellow, green, red, and white at Walmart all in one package)also a highlighter, thus making up your own configuration in color with black background. Also when you take the practice test in that part I would draw a small day symbol and night configuration with the right answere next to the question. The more you look at them the easier it becomes.

I would also suggest that you test( if comforatble) ASAP after the course this way you retain almost everything and if you are thinking of upgrades to Master, like wise for taking the course and test ASAP after the OUPV. Same as a tow endorsment class. This way it is only one filing fee rather then 3 seperate sumbmissions and 3 seperate fees.

Get a good nights sleep tonight becuase it will probably be the last one for the next 9 or so days.

Good luck and keep us posted.

60~D~ST..

LOL you will find out what that means real fast.

This post edited by baywatch 09:52 AM 03/30/2008

 

[outrageous21]

Thanks for all the information. I have current certification already in CPR and first aid and will have no problems in that category, as I am all up to date.

I am going April 11,12,13,18,19,20th

Just trying to get the 18th off from work then it will be definate.

I am going to refer to the advice in this post throughout my course and will post and keep you all updated as to my progress.

Thanks again Rob

 

[joeddogg]

OUPV License

What I found to be of great value to me was Charlie Wings book- Get Your Captains License. It comes with a C.D. that gives you practice exams. I got a 100% on the rules of the road portion of the test on the first try because of it. Just a bit of advice, if you can afford to, and you have enogh sea time, you should go for the masters license.

 

[schoolman]

6 Pack License Test

I took my test over 25 years ago when we had to go directly to Battery Park for the exam. A lot has changed since then and Sea School and other educational groups are good examples of those changes. Fortunately, now, you do not have to take the long trek to NYC before & after the exam. That's a real plus. However, I am sure the test standards are the same. Study. Study. Study. You are not going to get by on your good looks and ownership of a 52 ft. Viking Triple Screw Superfisherman. Pay particular attention WORD FOR WORD to Details, particularly those regarding the Rules of the Road portion of the exam. Using flash cards was something that helped me a great deal when I was preparing. I suggest you do the same. If you can't find any pre-made ones, you can easily create your own. I'm not sure if you can still do it, but you might consider taking the test over a two-day span. Lots of luck to you!

 

[outrageous21]

I have the hours for the master, but I dont know if I can do it all at once, I'll call them and check it out. If it is extra days Ill have to do it in steps,
I ll try out that book "Get Your Captains License" thanks.

 

[outrageous21]

How is the chart plotting and navigation? The chart plotting I do now starts with the words Garmin, go to, and waypoint.

 

[outrageous21]

Has anyone tried the online course? From Mariners School

 

[baywatch]

outrageous21 wrote:
I have the hours for the master, but I dont know if I can do it all at once, I'll call them and check it out. If it is extra days Ill have to do it in steps,
I ll try out that book "Get Your Captains License" thanks.

You have to have passed your OUPV first, then go onto the Masters.

You will need documantion of boats you were on/our operated.

It will all be expalined in school.

The on-line version is fairly new and I can't pass judgment on it.

Take it one step at a time as it is a process but IMHO once you go through this then and only then will you see the differnce between CG Aux, Power Squadron courses.

 

[MakoMike]

The online course from mainer's school would certainly be more convienient. They also do classes locally all up and down the east coast, you can check the schedule on their website.

 

[baywatch]

HOW IS THIS DONE?

I really have to wonder how that online course works testing wise.

Lets face it your home, who answeres your questions, or points out plotting problems or gives you a helping hand when needed during the course. How do they documnet the hours of classrom work for this type of course. I know when I went Sea School was pretty stringent on the amount of classroom work and hours in the classroom that was required. No early outs or if you missed a certain day it had to be made up.

What about testing is that done at home also?

With all the antiquainted rules the CG has you would think that would update there rules before letting this come into play

I have been pretty vocal about other Captains knocking any course that is crash type course and had some serious discussions on this site about it. My answere always was to better myself with the true understanding of safe operation.
Being that they stated that these types of course are flash card type course making almost a cinch for anyone with 1/2 a brain to get there ticket.

Now with this online course I wonder what ther real feelings are.

I am not knocking the sponcer who gives this on line course by any means but it seems awful easy to cheat on this type of course if the testing is also done at home.

Any of these courses have to approved by the USCG, how did this come into play?

This post edited by baywatch 01:01 PM 03/31/2008

 

[MickieBelle]

Sea School does a nice job...

with that condensed schedule. They give you everything you need so I wouldn't worry about prepping. I had Capt. Bob Granger, a real pro, couple of years ago. My only suggestion is not to be in a rush to take the exam. I took the written parts the weekend after completing the course then the plotting the weekend after. Don't feel pressured, enjoy the discussion and you'll get enough out of it to pass the tests. Good luck.

 

[Miss Beryl Charters]

Outrageous, Sea School is a good choice. My instructor was Frank and he is terrific, very knowlegeable and a very good sense humor. I had Bob for my masters - another very good teacher. Dont purchase any tools ahead of time, the tools sea school sells are better than what you may buy on your own. Definately take the Masters right after you get your OUPV as all of the materials will be fresh in your mind and it will work out better for you. I must say I enjoyed the sea school experience due to the 2 instructors i have mentioned here. Dont worry too much about studing in advance of the course, you will find their methods do a good job.

Good Luck in you endeavors.
Capt. Rick

 

[bhm25]

if you do have the documented sea time to sit for a masters i do believe you can home study and sit for a test at your local regional exam center (REC) . rather then taking the test 2 times which always seemd very odd to me ....

do you need an OUPV in order to sit for a masters license these days ????


im on my 3rd issue boy things have changed....lol

 

[outrageous21]

I was able to get off work and I signed up today so I am definately in.

Joeddog wrote:
What I found to be of great value to me was Charlie Wings book- Get Your Captains License

I also picked up this book yesturday and have been reading it to get a head start. Good call

 

[baywatch]

bhm25 wrote:

do you need an OUPV in order to sit for a masters license these days ????

Here is something from Sea School web page but says nothing about just testing for a masters

UPGRADE
OUPV (6-Pack) to
MASTER 25, 50 or 100 GRT
The Upgrade process from OUPV to MASTER is quite straight forward.
You must complete our Upgrade Course consisting of 3 classroom days.

Upon successful completion, a Certificate of Completion/Diploma will be issued that
must be presented to the Coast Guard so that your Master License may be issued.

REQUIREMENTS:
MASTER Inland:
Requires 360 days (the same as the 6-pack).
For any license, 90 days of your sea time must be in the past 3 years.

With an OUPV Endorsement
Requires 90 days outside COLREGS or Boundary Lines.
Lets you operate an Inspected Vessel on Inland waters, and a
6-Pack Vessel 100 miles offshore.

With a MATE Near Coastal Endorsement
Requires 180 days outside COLREGS or Boundary Lines.
Lets you operate an Inspected Vessel on Inland waters and a
6-Pack Vessel out to 200 miles offshore.

MASTER Near Coastal:
Requires 720 days, ½ of which (360) is in Near Coastal waters.
For any license, 90 days of your sea time must be in the past 3 years.

General Information:

Since you already hold an OUPV, sea time already in your file is counted.

Time before and after your time on file is also counted.

If the PHYSICAL that is in your file is more than 36 months old (at the time you give the USCG your paperwork), you'll need to have it updated.

If the DRUG TEST that is in your file is more than 6 months old (at the time you give the USCG your paperwork), you'll need to have it updated.

 

[GradySailfish]

I think you can site directly for the Masters, just not through Sea School, you would need to go directly to Battery Park.

60 D Street ?

Anyone remember:

Can
Dead
Men
Vote
Twice

and

True
Virgins
Make
Dull
Company
Add
Whisky

????

Some old school Captains might remember those nmumonics from a local Captains school.

This post edited by GradySailfish 10:36 AM 04/02/2008

 

[FatFishFan]

Good ones Grady!

How about Green over White, Trawling at night?

Red over Red, the captain is dead and his b*lls are hanging from the yardarm!

New
Reels
Catch
Fish
So
Purchase
Some

Just finished the Mariner's School class. Excellent course and I would recommend it to anyone looking to get their license. Study and you should have no problem.

This post edited by FatFishFan 11:06 AM 04/02/2008