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to you. Take your working copy and the original to the test.
(The Coast Guard will countersign page three of your copy
at the test.). Sea School offers a service to review your
paperwork and expedite any questions and issues that
may arise after your application. This should tell you
something about the efficacy of the subsequent USCG
paper system.
Step 9: It’s Show Time!
The big day has arrived for your actual test. You have all
your forms and attachments including proof of citizenship,
Social Security card, driver’s license and your fingers. Your
trainer/school will give you the location for the test and
administer it. You may elect to attend other testing centers
typically held at USCG Auxiliary facilities.
The test is typically taken under the watchful eye of the
Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose presence is required to do
fingerprinting and to witness taking the oath, both of which
will happen during the test. You will be pulled aside during
the test to present all your paperwork and swear an oath in
front of a USCG official, who will note this on your application
and your copy. (Be sure to check if fingerprinting and
the oath will be done at the test as this process has changed
several times and could be an inconvenient surprise if you
had to travel to Miami–just to lend them your fingers.)
The test is in four parts, which can be taken in any
order and may be taken piecemeal. If you fail any part,
which is marked immediately, you may elect to retake
twice. If you fail three times, then a mandatory refresher
course is required. (Check on this requirement for yourself
as this has also changed.) Between each part, you may leave
the exam room for a break, including checking your notes
outside if you are so inclined. The parts are as follows (with
passing grades): Rules of the Road (90%); Deck General and
Safety (70%); Navigation General (70%), Chart Navigation
(70%). All are multiple-choice questions with chart work
being based on one of three pre-selected charts, which you
will have practiced on in your course. Clearly the “Rules of
the Road” are your focus. This is where you MUST spend
your time ruthlessly drilling in step seven.
Step 10: Certification
If you pass all parts—and you will know on that day—the
training/testing authority will issue you their certificate in
the mail a few days later. This confirms you successfully
completed their course, which allows you to put in your
application to the Coast Guard. You may do this yourself or
have the training/testing folks check it and process it for
you for a fee. This is gratifying as the waiting period for the
USCG to process your paperwork, match up your fingerprints,
do background checks and whatever else it must do,
is measured in months before issuance of your license. In
defense of its system, the latest word is that the Coast
Guard is under a two-thirds reduction in force, so seven
people in Miami will now do the work of 20. The optional
service is offered by Sea School now. But remember the
optional service offered by a school such as Sea School has
new meaning if you consider your application might be
dropped to the bottom of the pile if there is any small technicality
that promotes a question. Sea School will help minimize
the chance of that happening. In the end, you will
receive formal certification from the Coast Guard which—
along with proof of your drug test—must be available on
your vessel.
Step 11: There is no Step 11
Celebrate. Also consider what moniker you should use. The
writer was informed by a close relative in no uncertain
terms that he could only use Capt. Kirk if he were willing to
wear the black tights and red jammies. So Capt. Mike it is.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2007 35