Course Descriptions

The courses listed except those indicated with a # sign, are U.S. Coast Guard approved or accepted and meet all of the requirements for in lieu of testing at a Coast Guard Regional Examination Center or the applicable training certification. Most courses are also approved for Veterans Training, those denoted with ð require pre-approval from the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

For a complete description of each training course "left click" your mouse on the course title of your choice.

CAPTAIN/DECK LICENSE TRAINING COURSES:

Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV or 6-Pack)

Upgrade OUPV to Master 25 through 100 Gross Register Tons (GRT)

Upgrade Master 100 GRT to Master 200 GRT

Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels

License Renewal Refresher (OUPV up to Master 100 GRT)

Navigation Rules of the Road (U.S. Inland & International)

#Master/Mate 500/1600GRT, Inland w/ COLREGSð

#Master 500/1600GRT, Near Coastal (Without Coastal & Terrestrial Navigation)ð

#OICNW - Mate 500/1600GRT & 3rd Mate AGT, Near Coastal ð

CERTIFICATION AND/OR ENDORSEMENT TRAINING:

Commercial Assistance Towing Endorsement

Auxiliary Sail Endorsement

First Aid & CPR

Tankerman Fire Fighting

Tank Ship DL, Tankerman PIC

ABLE SEAMAN

(All Ratings)

Designated Examiner for Towing Vessel Officer Assessments

#FCC Testing

MROP through GMDSS FCC Elements

STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft/Lifeboats

RADAR OBSERVER, ARPA, ECDIS & GMDSS:

Radar Observer-Unlimited

Radar Observer-Inland

Radar Observer Recertification (Renewal)

ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids)

Radar Operations for Boaters

ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display & Information System)

STCW Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS)

Electronic Navigation

STCW-95 COMPLIANT TRAINING COURSES AND PROGRAMS:

STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) All Elements

STCW (BST) Personal Survival Techniques

STCW (BST) Basic Fire Prevention and Firefighting

STCW (BST) Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities

STCW (BST) Elementary First Aid

Advanced Fire Fighting

STCW Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (Lookout Duties)

STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft/Lifeboats

Passenger Ship - Crowd Management Training

STCW-95 OICNW (OPERATIONAL LEVEL) & MANAGEMENT COURSE MODULES:

Bridge Resource Management (BRM) - OICNW Module & Master

Cargo Handling & Stowage - OICNW Module

Celestial Navigation/Oceans - OICNW Module

Celestial Navigation/Oceans Master 500/1600GT

Coastal Navigation - OICNW Module

Electronic Navigation - OICNW Module

Emergency Procedures - OICNW Module

Magnetic & Gyro Compasses - OICNW Module

Medical Care Provider - OICNW Module

Meteorology (Basic) - OICNW Module

Search and Rescue (SAR) - OICNW Module

Ship Construction & Basic Stability - OICNW Module

Terrestrial Navigation - OICNW Module

Morse Code (Flashing Light)

Course Length: 56 hours (7 days)

Course Description:
This course provides training to mariners seeking their US Coast Guard Operators License as Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) or also called the 6 Pack license upon Great Lakes, Inland and/or Near Coastal waters as specified in 46 CFR Part 10. It satisfies the classroom instruction and examination requirements listed in 46 CFR 10.910, Table 10.910-2 in lieu of taking the examinations at a US Coast Guard Regional Examination Center (REC).

The OUPV course is principally intended for candidates for licensing as Operators of Uninspected Passenger Vessels. Ideally, students attending this course should have completed a minimum period of one year underway on vessels with ninety days of that experience acquired during the three years previous to enrollment, and preferably have gained some experience of watch standing on the relevant waters.

This course will also be of value to others operating vessels on the water who may not be seeking U.S. Coast Guard licenses, or whose experience is not up to the minimum requirements established under ideal conditions. Because of this, entry standards can be adjusted to suite the particular circumstances. In most cases, the students for each course will normally have backgrounds that meet or exceed the ideal entry standards stated above.

The course is divided into three sections covering the following topics:
• Rules of the Road

General – covers the basic rules, definitions and fog signals for both International and Inland Rules. Lights and Shapes – covers all of the possible lighting configurations as well as the day shapes required to be displayed on certain vessels. Steering and Sailing Rules and miscellaneous topics – this module covers the rules concerning meeting, crossing and overtaking situations and the sound signals associated with each as well as vessel hierarchy and penalty provisions associated with violations of the Rules.

Working with time - Speed, Time & Distance - Chart Interpretation - Navigation Publications and Notice to Mariners - Aids to Navigation - Magnetic Compass Errors and Corrections - Determining Magnetic Compass Deviation - Obtaining and Plotting Visual Bearings - Dead Reckoning - Set and Drift of the Current - Course to Steer and Leeway - Fixing Vessel Position – Visual and Electronic - Calculating Tide and Currents - Practical Plotting Exercises.

Characteristics of Weather Systems - Fire Prevention and Control - Lifesaving appliances and survival - National Maritime Law and Regulations Including Pollution Prevention Regulations - Basic Seamanship - Ship/Vessel Maneuvering and Handling - Onboard Emergency Procedures - Marine Radiotelephone Communications

Examination:
Four examinations are administered on the final day of the course. The examinations are similar in format and content to the examinations given at the US Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs) and are accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in lieu of their exams. The four exams, number of questions and minimum passing score are as follows:
• Rules of the Road 30 questions 90%
• Navigation Plot 10 questions 70%
• Navigation General Topics 20 questions 70%
• Deck General/Safety 50 questions 70%

Course Description:
This course provides training to mariners seeking to obtain an original Master, 25, 50 or 100 GRT License. Our students complete our 56-Hour OUPV course, then take this upgrade training to Master, 25, 50 or 100 GRT.

An existing holder of an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels, either Inland or Near Coastal, license may upgrade to a Master, 25, 50 or 100 GRT License by completing this training. By completing this course also allows mariners who hold a Master, 25, 50 or 100 GRT Inland waters license to increase their license scope to Near Coastal waters provided that they meet the additional sea service requirements.

The following approval has been granted by the US Coast Guard National Maritime Center:

Any applicant who has successfully completed the 24-hour Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 Tons course and presents a Certificate of Training at a Regional Exam Center within one year of the completion of training, will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 10.207 for upgrade of a license from OUPV to Master 100 Tons Near Coastal. The following topics are covered in this course:

Examination:
One examination is administered on the final day of the course. The examinations are similar in format and content to the examinations given at the US Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs) and are accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in lieu of their exams.

Course Length: 36 hours (5 days)

Course Description:
This course provides training to mariners seeking to upgrade their existing Master or Mate 100 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) license upon Great Lakes, Inland and/or Near Coastal waters to Master or Mate of 200 GRT as specified in 46 CFR Part 10. It satisfies the classroom instruction and examination requirements listed in 46 CFR 10.910, Table 10.910-2 in lieu of taking the examinations at a US Coast Guard Regional Examination Center (REC).

The 200 GRT upgrade course is principally intended for candidates who currently hold a U.S. Coast Guard license as Master or Mate of 100 GRT or have completed a U.S. Coast Guard approved course for Master or Mate of 100 GRT within the 12 month previous to course attendance who wish to upgrade to Master or Mate of 200 GRT. The 200GRT tonnage license is also now equivalent to the 500 GT International Tonnage Convention (ITC) tonnage.

Ideally, students attending this course should have completed a minimum period of one year underway on vessels of appropriate GRT for Inland and Great Lakes and two years for Near Coastal licenses with ninety days of that experience acquired during the three years previous to enrollment, and preferably have gained some experience of watch standing on the relevant waters.

It is the students responsibility to ensure that they have the required minimum sea service on appropriate tonnage vessels for the upgrade to 200 GRT. A basic knowledge and skill level commensurate with a Master, 100 GRT license is prerequisite for attendance at this course.

This course will also be of value to others operating vessels on the water who may not be seeking U.S. Coast Guard licenses, or whose experience is not up to the minimum requirements established under ideal conditions. Because of this, entry standards can be adjusted to suite the particular circumstances. In most cases, the students for each course will normally have backgrounds that meet or exceed the ideal entry standards stated above.

Two examinations are administered on the final day of the course. The examinations are similar in format and content to the examinations given at the US Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (RECs) and are accepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in lieu of their exams. The two exams, number of questions and minimum passing score are as follows:

Course Description:
This course is designed to reacquaint the experienced mariner renewing their OUPV and up to Master 100 GRT licenses with topics that they were examined on in obtaining their original deck license.

To renew your OUPV and up to Master 100 GRT licenses you must be able to show 360 days (one year) of service during the past five years. The service must be verified by submitting either proof of vessel ownership, a letter from vessel owner, or company verifying service. Many license holders often find themselves nearing renewal but for whatever reasons do not have the qualifying one year of service. The Coast Guard does allow the licensee to take and pass a comprehensive open-book exercise in lieu of showing the qualifying service. The open-book exercise is mailed out by the Coast Guard to the individual, and they must take the open-book exercise and mail it back to the Coast Guard. The problem many have with taking the open-book exercise renewal route is that they do not possess or have access to the myriad of publications and reference materials necessary to check their answers or to pass the open-book exercise.

An alternative at renewal to the service or open-book exercise requirements, is to take and pass a Coast Guard approved License Renewal Refresher training course.

Graded Chart Plotting Exercise 7 problems, must get 6 of the 7 exercise problems correct.

Course Length: 4 hours

Course Description:
This course provides classroom training in basic assistance towing techniques, terminology and safety to meet the training requirements for issuance of an Commercial Assistance Towing endorsement to a U.S. Coast Guard License. The course satisfies the requirements of 46 CFR 10.301 – 303 and any student successfully completing the course will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 10.482(b) for endorsement for Commercial Assistance Towing for Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels through Master 200 GRT upon Great Lakes, Inland and/or Near Coastal Waters.

Examination:
The student will be administered a 20 question multiple choice examination with a minimum score of 70% required.

Course Length: 4 hours

Course Description:
This course provides classroom training in basic sailing terminology, techniques and safety to meet the training requirements for issuance of an Auxiliary Sail endorsement to a U.S. Coast Guard License. The course satisfies the requirements of 46 CFR 10.301 – 303 and the examination requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(i) for an Auxiliary Sail endorsement to any deck license.

The course covers the following topics:

The student will be administered a 20 question multiple choice examination with a minimum score of 70% required.

This course provides classroom training on the Inland and International Navigation Rules of the Road covering the examination topics for watchkeeping, COLREGS and Inland Navigation Rules as listed in 46 CFR 10.910, Table 10.910-2 and meets the requirements as a test in lieu of the US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Rules of the Road Examination module 054XX.

The course also meets the requirements of USCG ALCOAST 369/02 to satisfy the Navigation Rules requirement for personnel in the Boatswain’s Mate rating for both advancement and coxswain certification.

The course is a comprehensive study of the Navigation Rules, International – Inland contained in US Coast Guard publication COMDTINST M16672.2(series) and is amended as the Rules are updated.

The intent of this course is to deliver to the student a thorough understanding of the Navigation Rules (U.S. Inland and International). This course focuses on presenting the Navigation Rules in an organized and logical manner.

Covers definitions: Purpose of the Rules (Rule 1), Responsibility, (Rule 2), Safe speed (Rule 6), Risk of collision (Rule 7), Action to avoid collision (Rule 8), Narrow channels (Rule 9), Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) (Rule 10), Conduct of vessels in sight of one another, Steering and Sailing Rules (Rules 11 through 18), Sound signal definitions (Rule 32), Equipment for sound signals (Rule 33), Maneuvering and warning signals (Rule 34).

Covers purposes for lights and dayshapes, rules governing lights, running lights required for power-driven vessels (Rules 22/23), sailing vessels and vessels under oar (Rule 25), fishing and trawling vessels (Rule 26), vessel not under command or restricted in their ability to maneuver (Rule 27), vessel constrained by draft (Rule 28), vessel engaged in pilotage duties (Rule 29), towing and pushing (Rule 24), vessels at anchor (Rule 30).

Covers general definitions, precautions in restricted visibility (Rule 6), proper lookout (Rule 5), risk of collision (Rule 7), conduct of vessels in restricted visibility (Rule 19), sound signals in restricted visibility (Rule 35), Rule of good seamanship/general prudential rule (Rule 2).

Covers purpose and applicability, definitions, temporary exemptions, law enforcement vessels, public safety activities, lights on barges at bank or dock, lights on dredge pipelines.

Completion of the course is marked by a final examination of 50 multiple-choice questions similar in format and content to the US Coast Guard Merchant Marine Rules of the Road Examination module 054XX. The examination is closed book and requires a minimum passing score of 90%. Homework assignments and in class quizzes serve to reinforce the subject matter and are a required part of this course.

Course Length: 8 hours (1-day)

Course Description:
This course provides training to mariners seeking to complete basic first aid and CPR training to meet the requirement for issuance of an original USCG Merchant Mariner’s license and satisfies the First Aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 10.l205(h)(1)(ii) and 10.205(h)(2)(iii) for original issuance of a license.

This course will also be of value to others who need First Aid and CPR training who may or may not operate vessels on the water who may not be seeking U.S. Coast Guard licenses, or whose experience is not up to the minimum requirements established under ideal conditions. Because of this, entry standards can be adjusted to suite the particular circumstances. In most cases, the students for each course will normally have backgrounds that meet or exceed the ideal entry standards stated above.

The course is divided into three sections covering the following topics:

Three examinations are administered throughout the course. The two exams, number of questions and minimum passing score are as follows:

Course Length: 16.0 hours (2 days)

Course Description:
This course provides training to mariners seeking a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels. Any student successfully completing the course will satisfy the examination requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(i) for original issuance or 46 CFR 10.209(c)(iii) for renewal of a license as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) of Towing Vessels or Master or Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels; provided that they either:

(2) hold a license as Master 25, 50, or 100 Gross Tons and have completed our 36-Hour Upgrade Master of Vessels Not More Than 100 Gross Tons to Master Not More Than 200 Gross Tons course WITHIN ONE YEAR of completion of the Apprentice Mate course; –OR–

(3) have completed our 56-Hour Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) and our 24-Hour Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 Gross Tons and our 36-Hour Upgrade Master of Vessels Not More Than 100 Gross Tons to Master Not More Than 200 Gross Tons course WITHIN ONE YEAR of completion of the Apprentice Mate course.

NOTE: This is not a stand alone course unless a mariner already holds a Master/Mate not more than 200 GRT License and has been approved by the USCG to take the examination for Master of Towing Vessels. If a mariner does not hold a license and wants to "run" a towing vessel, the entire USCG approved Apprentice Mate (Steersman) curriculum, consisting of QMTL’s 80-Hour Master, not more than 100 GRT, 36-Hour Upgrade Master 100 GRT to Master not more than 200 GRT and the 16-Hour Apprentice Mate (Steersman) course. This was done to allow the mariner to obtain a more versatile license that will allow them to operate inspected vessels as well as uninspected towing vessels within the limits of their license while still meeting all of the training requirements for issuance of an Apprentice Mate (Steersman) License.

Each student will receive a personal copy of the Towing Officer’s Assessment Record (TOAR) for completion on board towing vessels. Completion of the TOAR and appropriate sea service are required for advancement to Mate and Master of Towing Vessels. No further examination is required.

One written examination consisting of 20 multiple choice questions is administered at the end of the course that requires a minimum passing score of 70%.

Advancement:

New Towing License Progression for Service, Training, and Exam Requirements
License	Total Service	Service	Time on Route	TOAR or Approved Training Program	Exam	Days of Observation for New Route(s)
Master of Towing Vessels	48 months	Service as Mate (Pilot) 18 months (up to 180 days can be harbor assist)	90 days	NO 1	NO 1	90 days for increase in the scope of routes on the license.
Mate (Pilot) of Towing Vessels	30 months	Service as Apprentice Mate (Steersman) 12 months	90 days	YES	NO 1	90 days for increase in the scope of routes on the license.
Apprentice Mate (Steersman)	18 months	Service on Towing Vessels 12 months	90 days	NO	YES 2	90 days on any route.
1. TOAR or Approved Training Course and Limited Exam may be required if not previously completed for route. 2. Coast Guard exam for Apprentice Mate or Mate; or approved course in lieu of Apprentice Mate or Mate Examinations. TOAR = Towing Officer Assessment Record.

This course provides training to mariners who wish to obtain an endorsement to their US Coast Guard Merchant Mariners Document as Tankerman. The Tank Ship Dangerous Liquids course satisfies the training requirements 46 CFR 13. 209 for Tankerman-PIC (Tank Ship DL); 13.309 for Tankerman-PIC (Barge DL); 13.409 for Tankerman-Assistant and; 13.509 for Tankerman-Engineer; AND the tanker familiarization, oil tanker and chemical tanker training requirements of paragraphs 1 - 21 of Section A-V/1 of the STCW Code.

This course is principally intended for candidates who hold or will hold a USCG Merchant Mariner’s Document and serve as or will serve as Tankerman. Ideally, Tankerman PIC (Tank ship) and Tankerman PIC (Barge) candidates will have met the USCG requirements for participation in the minimum number of transfers prior to attendance. If not, they have five years from the course completion date to meet these requirements. Students are expected to be able to read and speak English.

The course will also be of value to others serving as supervisory personnel in the industry or on vessels directly involved with the bulk shipment of dangerous liquids by water.

The student will complete a practical exercise for typical dangerous liquid cargo load and discharge operations, which includes following all regulatory procedures and policies.