I got a 50T masters USCG license back in the early 1980's when I worked at a large summer camp. The camp paid for an instructor to come and teach a group of us a one week course and the CG administered the test at the camp also. Most of the people received a very limited "6-pack" license but a couple of us had enough time to get Masters tickets. Compressing the training course to one week made it a real PIA. I worked at the camp for 4 more summers but I never used it outside of the camp and never bothered to renew it. I did notice that when I filled out a resume to charter a boat in the Caribbean having an expired license ended any questions about my qualifications to captain a bareboat charter. The original framed paper license has been on a shelf in my study for the last 20 years, but now that I own a boat again, I'll probably mount it on the bulkhead onboard Delaney. James SV Delaney Oriental, NC C&C 38 ----- Original Message ----- From: Martin DeYoung To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Sent: Friday, December 21, 2012 6:45 PM Subject: Re: Stus-List Captain's License
I forgot to mention I used my USCG license between 1986 and 1990 when I owned the first Vessel Assist boat in Seattle (central Puget Sound). This was just after the USCG stopped towing for convenience and Vessel Assist was fairly new in the region. The license made it possible to obtain liability insurance and fulfill the Vessel Assist contract requirements. My custom made aluminum twin I/O towboat was designed 6" shorter than the length that required all crew to be licensed. I ran that weekend business as long as I could afford then sold it to the next guy who thought there was money to be made. I still don't count my Vessel Assist biz as having made money with a USCG license. The company's income typically covered operational costs, boat maintenance, and crew pay (no owner/operator pay). The profit (if any) left over was very seasonal and frankly not worth the risks however the entertainment (and education) value was often decent compensation. Martin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Martin DeYoung Sent: Friday, December 21, 2012 11:20 AM To: 'cnc-list@cnc-list.com' Subject: RE: Stus-List Captain's License >> Nice to have, but expensive to obtain and keep current << >> It does look nice on the wall though. << I too have a USCG License (old style on the wall, new style in duffel bag). I went through a two year merchant marine program back in the early 80's with the intent of work on tug boats between Seattle and Alaska. I have kept my license current since then. In order to move up a level I need to cross 3 ocean/river type bars within a year of the upgrade test then pass a navigation test. I was planning on completing the process in 2012 but work got in the way. I completed one of the 3 bar crossings in 2011 (Nahwitti at the top of Vancouver Island). My plan to sail south to the Columbia River bar and one of the other Washington coast bars in 2012 is what was sacrificed to the work gods. I have been able to use my license several times as paid navigator (Swan 65's insurance carrier required a licensed navigator with a sextant (in 1994)) and several times as a paid delivery skipper (Hawaii to Seattle, Seattle to So Cal etc.). For my own sailing it has been helpful in obtaining insurance coverage when requesting an extension of the "limits of navigation" to include more challenging waters. I will renew my license and TWIC card at least one more time. The cost and paperwork are still worth it to me, mostly as a pride of accomplishment, not so much as a commercial benefit. I do recommend serious sailors go through the training processes available for obtaining a license even if they do not intend to complete the process. Martin Calypso 1970 C&C 43 Seattle ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
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