Well, I just finished my last classes with Sea School and will be taking the OUPV test tomorrow. I thought about doing the preparation by book or over the internet but decided to bite the bullet and take the class. Glad I did. The Captains there were top notch and provided a much better experience than you could ever get from a book or website. It was very beneficial to have someone to ask questions who really knew what he was talking about. There’s a lot more to getting your license than just taking the test, like that’s not enough, and Sea School provided all the information you need to prepare for your application to the USCG. I plan to upgrade to a masters in the next couple of months and will use their services again for sure. I’ve been on the water for 40 years but they taught me a lot. Anyone thinking of getting a Captains license, I highly recommend these guys. Give them a call.
There’s a lot of good material out there. The Sea School does an excellent job. Another option is much more self study based; check out www.lapware.org it’s a little pricey but you can have it generate practice tests from real Coast Guard questions and you can tailor it to whatever test you are going for. Also has great explanations if a question gives you trouble.
So you guys are comparing the average boat captain to a 7th grader? You can teach people how to pass the test but you do have to put in the time to learn inland and international rules for day, night, and restricted visibility signals, light configurations. I have never seen a vessel other than large ships and tugs use the proper signals when under way or at anchor, even though you are supposed to. What is a red over red, three reds in a row, red over white over red, white over red, red over white, green over white, red over green, a black triangle apex pointed downward? I imagine less than 10% of the people on this site can answer those questions without looking it up in a signal book because most people don’t need to know it.
Thanks Jack and captain Buddy. I hope to upgrade in the next couple of months. I’m 57 and looking at this to help with retirement in a few more years. The class taught me a lot more about the real rules you find on the test than 45 years on the water. Sea School is a good investment for someone who wants to pass the test the first time.
So you guys are comparing the average boat captain to a 7th grader? You can teach people how to pass the test but you do have to put in the time to learn inland and international rules for day, night, and restricted visibility signals, light configurations. I have never seen a vessel other than large ships and tugs use the proper signals when under way or at anchor, even though you are supposed to. What is a red over red, three reds in a row, red over white over red, white over red, red over white, green over white, red over green, a black triangle apex pointed downward? I imagine less than 10% of the people on this site can answer those questions without looking it up in a signal book because most people don’t need to know it.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
You should get out more. Dredges, pilot boats, tugs & tows, cable ships all show different lights & you’ll see them. The 6-pack class is very basic & saying they are a captain is a joke. Take celestial or look into a 1600t license & see how hard those test are.
So you guys are comparing the average boat captain to a 7th grader? You can teach people how to pass the test but you do have to put in the time to learn inland and international rules for day, night, and restricted visibility signals, light configurations. I have never seen a vessel other than large ships and tugs use the proper signals when under way or at anchor, even though you are supposed to. What is a red over red, three reds in a row, red over white over red, white over red, red over white, green over white, red over green, a black triangle apex pointed downward? I imagine less than 10% of the people on this site can answer those questions without looking it up in a signal book because most people don’t need to know it.
Seafox 246 w 300 Yamaha
You should get out more. Dredges, pilot boats, tugs & tows, cable ships all show different lights & you’ll see them. The 6-pack class is very basic & saying they are a captain is a joke. Take celestial or look into a 1600t license & see how hard those test are.
21 Contender
I think you will find that is what I said, commercial boats use the lights and signals while very few charter or pleasure craft do, other than the standard running lights. And I would guess less than 0.1% of boaters have a 1,600 T License. Celestial navigation is taught at the College of Charleston but I don’t expect to ever need it. Never said the higher level test were easy but I have been told the upgrade from OUPV to Masters is easier than the OUPV.
I don’t see myself ever getting the sea time on the larger vessels to get anywhere near there Paul. My career has been on the land with as much time as I could muster on the water. I can only qualify for the first master with my days at sea, and obviously don’t have the time or qualifications to operate a large vessel. I’m still happy with what I got. Gives me a chance to supplement my retirement with something I love doing and that’s the important part.
quote:. Gives me a chance to supplement my retirement with something I love doing and that's the important part.
Don’t let them lick the red off your apple, follow your dreams:sunglasses: It’s not an easy test, or a least it didn’t used to be easy. Sea School was a big help to me with a few different courses.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose