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gross ton increments, then you
must have 720 days verified. A
separate endorsement is
required for sailing vessels.
Assuming you are hale and
hardy, free of drugs and can
find the bucks, then press on to
step three.
Step 3: Sign Up for training
Sign up for the captain’s
course. This will take four full
days and five nights. At the
time you book the course, ask
about the intended test dates
available to you. (Usually
about two weeks after the
course is optimum.) Then sign
up at your local Red Cross for a First Aid/CPU refresher
–it’s one day and well worth it for everyone, regardless of
your nautical ambitions. Schedule this course to be done
before your test date as you will need the certificate before
the test.
Since the new Homeland Security rules, the Coast Guard
process for the Captain’s license is slower and more involved.
Step 4: Get Prepared
Find your passport—is it up to date Alternatively, dust off
your birth certificate as proof of citizenship. (It’s of note
that there is a law still on the books that goes back to
Revolutionary times. It requires that no U.S.-.documented
vessel can be under the captainship of a non-U.S. citizen.
The reason is that your 16-foot runabout must always be
available to be drafted in the defense of the nation.
Homeland Security, eat your heart out!) Find your Social
Security card and driver’s license. Buy simple navigation
instruments: dividers, parallel rule. You don’t need all the
fancy charts, books and plastic do-dads that you will be
offered. Decide how you will verify your sea time. Get form
SS 719S from the Department of Transportation or your
chosen training source. Entries are in number of days per
month per year. Certification is by two methods. First, if
you own the vessel, you can self-certify and provide proof
of ownership of the vessel. The USCG will accept almost
any kind of documentable proof, but the certificate of documentation
is by far the simplest
single source. Falsification
of self-certification is, of
course, considered perjury and
punishable by jail time, so take
this step seriously. Second, for
time on other vessels, fill in the
same form and have the master
of that vessel countersign.
Strangely, proof of his ownership
is not required, but it’s a
good thing to get a copy of his
documentation certificate. This
also gives you all the boat
dimensional details, which
you will need for the form.
Line up three friends for your
references—and not relatives.
Step 5: Select Training Method.
If you are the self-study masochist, then start boning up
from your books. If you are paying for the training, which is
about $400 of the $800 mentioned above, then mark your
calendar and relax until “T” week. Explain to your significant
other that you may be a little unavailable that week—
or even a little cranky—as you progress through the intensive
training. But don’t panic; the trainers know their stuff
and will give you various methods and tools which, if followed,
will assure your success.
Step 6: Other Stuff
A drug test is required, which can be administered by the
American Captain’s Association (800-468-7447)—or whoever
your trainer recommends. This test is administered during
the training week by Sea School—no sweat—actually
just a little bottle. The required routine physical can be
administered by your doctor with a form number CG-719K
the trainer can supply. Again Sea School makes this easy by
having the exam done during your training by a visiting
doctor.
Step 7: Self-Testing
After the training you should walk away with a work plan
for consolidating your knowledge. The exact exam questions
are available to you, and therefore, if you follow the
post-training recommendations and self-testing, your confidence
will grow and the exam should not be feared. Allow
about 20 more hours before your exam to firm up your confidence.
Step 8: Form Filling
Gather up all the forms and check lists along with a nice
bottle of wine and spend an evening getting your application
packet organized. It will typically finish up at about 20
to 25 pages. You will need the completed forms at the test.
Don’t leave it to the last minute in case you need some
information. If you did step four, this should just be formfilling,
sipping and paper-shuffling. When finished, take a
trip to Kinko’s and make two copies. File one in a safe place
as, by now, this document has a considerable financial value
34 February 2007 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindsmagazine.com