Captains License questions

[chocomilo]

Just got my 6 pck over the winter, Definitly gained alot of information from the course. I studied myself at home used online course From Mairiners Learing system. Was good because I didnt have to travel and studied from home in the evnings and weekends after the boat was on the dry for the winter. Was alot of red tape to get it but was rewarding in the end and if need be I can sit in and run a charter if need be. Kept me out of the old ladies hair over the winter...

[jwinds]

If you are planning to run fishing trips you will also need First Aid Certification (usually every 3 years), CPR Certification (every year if with Red Cross), a MD Guides License or TFL (both not easy to get), and submit monthly logs to DNR. Lots of paperwork involved to get/renew the Captains Licene and maintain a commercial license.

[blue lou]

If you are planning to run fishing trips you will also need First Aid Certification (usually every 3 years), CPR Certification (every year if with Red Cross), a MD Guides License or TFL (both not easy to get), and submit monthly logs to DNR. Lots of paperwork involved to get/renew the Captains Licene and maintain a commercial license.

Not to mention you actually need to know how to find fish consistently, all that other nonsense and paperwork you can buy...

[Flybyknight]

You can not go wrong taking either the Coast Guard Aux courses, or that offered by the US Power Squadron. I took both, all that was offered. The quickest way as far as safety is the C.G. If you really want to become a true mariner, then achieving "NAVIGATOR" rank in the Power Squadron is the way to go.
imho
dick

[goinsfishin]

I would purchase 2 books, the Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship book and and the Coast Guard's Navigation Rules for the rules of the road. Or, just the Chapman's which includes the rules of the road. They'll include more info than you need to know. Unless you really need the license, I wouldn't go through the hassle.

It's a lot of paperwork, time, headache and in the end way more money than $600. If you NEVER plan on using it, it'd be hard to justify making it "official", IMO.

If you are convinced that you are not going to use the license then don't waste the money........a LOT more $$ than just the course.......Capt. Spynet000 has firsthand experience.
Chapman's and the NavRules cover everything thats on the USCG exams, study and understand the applications in different situations, add some common sense and you will be well ahead of a lot of others on the water.

[Charlie S]

If you are convinced that you are not going to use the license then don't waste the money........a LOT more $$ than just the course.......Capt. Spynet000 has firsthand experience.
Chapman's and the NavRules cover everything thats on the USCG exams, study and understand the applications in different situations, add some common sense and you will be well ahead of a lot of others on the water.

This is the absolute best answer you will get !! The MD. Guide License (if you can find one) are running about $5,000 + up !! This is required in addition to the CG 6Pac !!! Listen to Capt. Steve and the others.