To License or not to License

Who said anything about engineers?

That sort of thing is why it is so difficult to get even the most simple concept across to someone who asks a question ... what a shame.

Hi,

I think anytime licensing is mentioned here the 100 ton brigade seem to take any mention of it not being the ultimate license to hold for everything that they get a little excited.

As for noting what people have written whilst accusing them of solvent abuse, wasting hydrocarbons or imbibing alcohol against their religious beliefs the author should take note that his posts do not always agree with what he has posted previously.

To the OP: If it makes you feel more comfortable or saves you enough having a license then go for it, learning stops the day we die and if you can study enough to pass the tests and remember it on the day good on ya.

Take all the classes and don't bother getting the license. I can't see a point in your instance.

Any fool can know. The point is to understand.
-Albert Einstein

If you are going to take the classes and have the seatime documented and are willing to put up with the other cover charge crap, then get the license. It doesn't hurt to have one, you don't have to renew, and if you aren't going to work it, you don't ever have to do anything about it again for the next 5 years.

Upgrade if you want and have the tonnage time, it will probably annoy the hell out of the lifer 100 tonners though.

So, following Albert E's words, you read and know; but are a little challenged to understand the concept.

Once heard someone mention that those who know do and those who do not, continue to read.

Like they say in the plumbing business, if at first you do not succeed, keep on sucking.

Hi,

That's the easy part, re assembly and restarting them successfully is sometimes the tricky bit that causes the most problems.

"The 100-ton is a cereal boxtop ticket, it's an entry level document for those who want to run small boat charters in the same boats and the same waters that anyone with a boat can operate. Think of it that way and just go boating." MARMOT

Good advice.
Taking the course to get my Cereal Box Ticket, I had to study and memorize stuff I would not have done otherwise. Long time ago but I still remember stuff and know where to find what I forgot.

No reason NOT to take the course and get the ticket regardless of what the peanut gallery says...

Nah, you are barking up the wrong tree Marmot, why would us lifer 100 tonners get annoyed? In fact I salute guys wanting to learn more and get more tickets under their belt, take the radar school, take the celestial classes, have fun learning more stuff, it sure is more satisfying than being a grumpy old codger taking pot shots on the internet

Licenses are obviously no substitute for experience.
They should verify that someone has indeed learned the necessary things to perform in a given role at a certain level of proficiency. That should especially include all the stuff nobody wants to learn because it is hard to learn, boring or rarely if ever used, certainly never the ship you've learned on. That is why good formal training is important and should not be dismissed out of hand.

I have no idea where the 100 ton license ranks when it comes to verifying necessary knowledge but I suppose that it's a bit more involved than just sending a SASE to the US Coast Guard.

Say you get the 100 ton and then upgrade to 200 ton since you can match the requirements relatively easily.
What are the consequences of not renewing? Other than different insurance rates.

And since first aid courses have been mentioned. The topic is also about learning things because you can (time and money) and because the knowledge and skills might be useful in managing situations when they happen. (But preferably adverting them in the first place.) So another option is to look at other training that is interesting, helpful in SHTF moments, or maybe even both.
For example you certainly don't need a STCW 95 cert but it covers topics that you won't learn on on your own yacht.

Your budget is way (way!) out of my league, but... in light of your experience to date and commitment to learning as you go forward...

I think I'd consider declaring yourself captain (get the license, or not), hire an engineer (instead of another captain) to maintain the boat(s), and then maybe augment staff with another captain only when you are looking at voyages that exceed your experience level. That trans-ocean crossing thing...

-Chris

Upgrading to 200 ton Master: One could take a Masters Course and get the master they qualify for (25/50/100 ton), then take the course for a 200 ton Mate at the same time, and upgrade to a 200ton Master when they have the seatime. Olderboater, if he has done charters on boats over 99 GT, the seatime from those would qualify I believe.

I would also recommend taking the 5 day STCW course and not the 3 day, because the 5 day is needed over 100GT license. If you're going to take the courses, why not get the license even if you don't plan on using it.

There are no consequences for letting the license lapse if you're not using it. Other than if you want to get it back after a year of lapsing, you have to retake all of the tests. The renewal fees are not very much $, but you need a physical, cpr, and such. This is just broad information and confirm what is needed with the USCG as I am no licensing authority.