6 pack test

[Robert M]

Looking in to getting my 6 pack . Local course is up over $1,200.
Found that I can buy this captain in a box cd package( less then half).
Study on my time then take the test . I also just saw an add in saltwater fishing mag for a study package, test answers , etc for less then $50.
Has anybody had experience with any of the above?

 

[tomy]

Hi Robert..go buy a current edition of Chapmans! most all questions are right out of chapmans if I racall. Apply for a tonnage licence, not 6 pack. It's the same test and gives you more leeway in what your driving.
I assume you know how to navigate/pilot? Also...study the NAV Rules...(Buy the book)that's 1st part of test and you have to get a 90% passing to continue. (NAV rule=Lights, sound signals, day shapes, restricted vis etc)

best of luck

 

[jrg]

I did a local class with American Boatschool, it was expensive but worth every penny. Learned a ton and we took the exam in class, so I didn't have to travel to the USCG office to sit for the exam. I feel like if I were to self-study I wouldn't have learned nearly as much, but everyone is different.

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

I bought a book in west marine, bought chapmans, light list and a few other books you should have anyway. This company sold test question cards which were very useful. I over a winter a number of years ago & breezed through. If you get into to it and do it on your own PM or email me. I came up with a very simple test stratagy that worked perfectly.

 

[CaptDave]

Captains Course

I studied and took the exam on my own in the early 80's for my 100 ton license studying Chapman's, Knights Modern Seamanship, Navigation Rules, other government publications etc. I did find it time consuming and did pass the first round. The advantage I had was I was running Coast Guard Boats at Station Point Allerton and had to have a solid grasp on Nav Rules, light lists, tide and current tables and navigatioin. I had to develop a stronger knowledge of weather and engineering for the exam.

My recommendation is to spend the money and take the course. It will make you go, learn some additional knowledge and it will prepare you to take the exam. If you are doing it to become a charter boat captain you should be able to write it off as a business expense. The courses are somewhat flexible in case you MUST miss one. I am sure you can do it yourself but if I was taking it today I myself would enroll in one of the good classes that are out there.

Dave

 

[wiggy]

6 pack

I'm currently using the mariners learning system online class. It's pretty good for the money, just over $600. I find I use their books more than the online videos. It takes a lot of time. I've had an account with them since October and I've only completed two modules. You just have to take the final exam at one of there testing centers.

 

[greg]

Take a look at Captain's License Online | Mariners School | MarinersLearningSystem.com. Again, about half the cost of the classroom course you looked at, but offers a lot more than a box of cd's o a bunch of practice exams (you get podcasts and practice exams as well).

The advantage is that you still take your exam with them rather than at a regional exam center. The questions are the same, but the ones you will get come from a smaller population so they can be more focused. You will be less likely to get a question on loran or some piece of antique sonar technology (they are still in the pool of questions).

They also focus you on the types of nav questions you will face, and you will always get the long island sound chart during the exam (as opposed to the Chesapeake which is the other option you might face at a rec). It helps to know where the landmarks are ahead of time so you don't have to find them during the exam.

One of the knocks on the schools is that they give you the same questions you will be tested on. That's not exactly true, but they will be familiar.

If you do it yourself, memorize (and I mean word for word), every paragraph in the rules plus the addendum's. Also it would help to google up the phrases like "red over red, the captain is dead".

Good luck. But don't let it get you down, it isn't that hard of an exam.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

I took a class to get my 100 ton, it was just easiest for my schedule. I dont know if the rules have changed, but when i tested it was 25 more questions to get a tonnage license, like 25,50,100 depending on the size of your boat. I would definitely recommend getting the biggest license you can if you going through the trouble.

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

alot of people don't realize the CFR books are there for you to use. So you just have to know how to look up a reg in the code books. It;s been along time but I can't remember if there are other books on the desk as well, anyone know? I studied at home at night for about 4 months. I acctually enjoyed it. It's all memorization techniques. You just pactice a system of memorization and it's a breeze.

 

[Raider Ronnie]

I took the class with
Captains License Courses Boating Safety Courses - New England Maritime - USCG Approved
A big advantage to taking a class is walking you through the paperwork, as it has to be 100% all there and in exact order. They can help you with renewals also.

Only negative thing I can say about the class is they teach you to pass the test, not so much to make you learn. Most forgot most everything once the process was done.
I was the one in class slowing the class down asking 100 questions.
The rules test for me was the hardest part of the 4 part test.
The class gave you a test taker disc for you to load on your laptop or home deck top and you could practice taking the test over & over till you got a 90% or better every time.
I got a friend who took the class and all he did was sit at his computer and took the test like a kid playing xbox games all day, my friend aced the test 100% 1st try.
I got my 50 ton masters with towing endorsement, since upgraded to 100 ton at last renewal.

 

[BillD]

What are the different "physical" requirements for the different licenses?
6 pack, 100 tonnage etc.

A buddy of mine did the capts license course a few years back but failed the physical portion due to poor hearing.

Another boating buddy has his 6 pack license and states the physicals are more detailed each renewal, high blood pressure etc.

What's the scoop?

 

[cobia23]

Like Woundup said, if your going to go for a six pack, you may as well go for a Master's whether it be 25, 50 or 100. The Coasties will determine what tonnage you get based on boat and sea time you present to them. There are only a few extra requirements to go from 6pack to master. When I first got my license I applied for a 100 ton near coastal. I was given a 50 ton near coastal, because the time on the bigger boat was beyond the three year mark. When I renewed a few years ago I was able to upgrade to 100 ton.

I would recommend going for as large a Masters license and "Near Coastal". Otherwise they may issue you an "Inshore" only license. Good Luck!!

 

[greg]

What are the different "physical" requirements for the different licenses?
6 pack, 100 tonnage etc.

A buddy of mine did the capts license course a few years back but failed the physical portion due to poor hearing.

Another boating buddy has his 6 pack license and states the physicals are more detailed each renewal, high blood pressure etc.

What's the scoop?

It's pretty much a standard dot physical. You can find the paperwork by googling Form CG-719K Merchant Marine Personnel Physical Examination Report

The training sites will package all of this up for you so you don't have to link all over creation.

The form will give you the params for bp, bmi, eye testing, etc.

Basically, the hearing test for me was just a whisper test. They stood behind me about 3 feet back and whispered a phrase. All I had to do was tell them what it was. BMI is 40, which just about anyone not in a ccu should pass. There are some dexterity tests, like doing a couple of squats and bends, but nothing tremendously hard. I think eyesight was 20/40 or something like that. Oh, and they will have to give you a test for color blindness. It's the eye test that will limit your options for where you get your physical done. A lot of walk in centers don't do that.

Again, the testing outfit I went with packaged up all the forms you will need, along with a checklist, so it's pretty easy to get through the paperwork. It wasn't a classroom environment, but still easy.

 

[cobia23]

BillD

Check out this link, it will tell you all the different requirments for all the licenses.

Charter Boat Captain Information - USCG National Maritime Center

 

[greg]

Like Woundup said, if your going to go for a six pack, you may as well go for a Master's whether it be 25, 50 or 100. The Coasties will determine what tonnage you get based on boat and sea time you present to them. There are only a few extra requirements to go from 6pack to master. When I first got my license I applied for a 100 ton near coastal. I was given a 50 ton near coastal, because the time on the bigger boat was beyond the three year mark. When I renewed a few years ago I was able to upgrade to 100 ton.

I would recommend going for as large a Masters license and "Near Coastal". Otherwise they may issue you an "Inshore" only license. Good Luck!!

I didn't bother with the T boat test. I'm never going to work on an inspected vessel and it's just not worth my time or money to say I have one.

Hell, I didn't even need the oupv, but figured it would be fun to have if I ever want someone to pay me to go fishing.

I might get a towing endorsement if I feel the boredom this winter, but will still skip the t boat.

Once you get your little red book, don't ferget you will still need to be in a random drug testing program, have charter insurance, and get you boat documentation modified to include coastwise endorsements. Boy are they ever slow on that last one, They are still working off submissions made in august.

 

[tunaorlater]

I used chapmans and then took the course. The course was very helpful with the charting end of it but i learned everything from chapmans needed to pass the tests. I held the license for about 12 years and let it expire because I never used it. At the time I was young and I was going to do charters but never got into it. I realized I dislike dealing with people.......

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

I used chapmans and then took the course. The course was very helpful with the charting end of it but i learned everything from chapmans needed to pass the tests. I held the license for about 12 years and let it expire because I never used it. At the time I was young and I was going to do charters but never got into it. I realized I dislike dealing with people.......

I can relate. I chartered for 3 seasons and was so sick of dealing with people I gave it up. And the bad ones abuse your equipment & boat. Only a few but enough to ruin it.

 

[greg]

I can relate. I chartered for 3 seasons and was so sick of dealing with people I gave it up. And the bad ones abuse your equipment & boat. Only a few but enough to ruin it.

Yeah, people can ruin a good time, especially those who become self entitled when they hire someone.

But with a license you can get a chb permit, which is more liberal wrt some species and bag limits as well as gear. I can use bandit gear on my Greenstick for example. Yeah, a lot of red tape and expense as well.

 

[WC1966]

I realized I dislike dealing with people.......

I had to get a CG license to operate a launch for work, at the 1st renewal the examiner asked me to step into the office, (not the best feeling/thoughts, kind of like seeing IRS on the envelope in the mail)
The guy said he wanted to be sure I was aware I had all the requirements to qualify for the 6=pac license, Had to laugh because like Tunaorlater, I dislike dealing w/people.
Did thank him for the thought, found the experiance of dealing w/ CG to be straight forward when I did have medical/medications questions.

 

[Tuna Pursuit]

Yeah, people can ruin a good time, especially those who become self entitled when they hire someone.

But with a license you can get a chb permit, which is more liberal wrt some species and bag limits as well as gear. I can use bandit gear on my Greenstick for example. Yeah, a lot of red tape and expense as well.

Ya that's why I keep my licence. I can retain a commerical BF or rec. My mate is chartering me