Comments on: How to Become a Licensed Captain

on 3/11/2008 Thanks for the great article, I found a site that walks you right through it and gives you instant access to USCG Approved Instructors, plus they have a cool boating IQ I failed and I have been boating all my life so, it was a real wake up call.
Anyway, thought you all might like it cause I am looking to get my license. www.captainaquatic.com and www.seadrive.com - they both have USCG Approved Instructors that actually answer the phone and it is a sticky situation meaning I have found out although there are general requirements each circumstance is different.
Wanna Be captain

on 7/3/2006 It takes 720 "days" of sea time. The level of license you get then depends on tonnage. I currently Captain a 130 ft 3-masted schooner.

on 1/15/2008 To become the captain of a tanker, cruise ship, container ship, etc., you need to earn an Unlimited Master license from the US Coast Guard. To start this process you will need to attend one of the 6 maritime academias here in the US (Maine Maritime, Mass Maritime, SUNY Maritime, Texas A&M, California Maritime or Great Lakes Maritime). Additionally, you can attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy which is a federal school and is free, but requires a nomination from your senator, congressman, vice-pres or the President himself. After graduation from one of these 4 year schools you will have an Unlimited 3rd Mate license. Then you must upgrade your license from 3rd mate to 2nd mate to chief mate and finally Master by earning sea days, taking a number of USCG courses and numerous exams. It is a lengthy and difficult process. It is possible to earn your 3rd mate license without going to a 4 year school. This is called coming up through the haws pipe. You must be certified as an ordinary seaman then upgrade to an able bodied seaman and finally earn 3 years of sea time and take (on average) 13 different USCG courses. You will then be allowed to sit for your 3rd Mate exam. It is very time consuming.

on 11/22/2005 The best way to study for a captains test is to sign up for a course (Sea School, etc.). The courses are about a week or two, but they teach you everything that will be on the test. So much easier than studying on your own.