at what point do you need a captains lic?

i just got around to reading this thread , i can remember what chuck yeager said about pilots and about old and bold i think you need to know your limits and not kid your self in the process just a thought

travler

dare we forget the lesson of the "BOUNTY" a couple of years back? a very seasoned and knowledgeable captain went out against his better judgement to please an owner,,,and wheres is he and his first mate now?

He did not go out against his better judgement. He had long talked of doing such things. The owner was very wrong in allowing it. The captain was very wrong in doing it.

I do hope you realize that the above posts in this thread were long before the Bounty even happened.

i see that now. TY for pointing that out. im new to this sort of thing so bare with me. as for the report i read it said it was the owners decision to set sail. either way,,more often then not,,when you challenge the sea under those conditions,,,she usually wins one way or another.

Non sense. It was the captain decision and he had bragged about skirting storms before.

Safety of the passengers, crew and vessel comes first. If one doesn't get that he or she has no business being a captain. The go/nogo decision is the most difficult part of the job.

The Captain had even talked romantically about dying at sea fighting a hurricane. Now, I think both are guilty. The entire episode was complete disregard for human lives. Reckless endangerment.

Schedules sink more ships than any other thing.

I know... It is a disease called Accute Gethereitis

FACT!

The most recent high profile one that fell victim to this disease is probably the El Faro.

Will be interesting when they release the rest of the recorder information.

I am in need of advice here regarding licensing. Here is my situation.

I am a medically retired U.S. Navy military police officer (MA). I served in the Navy from 1999-2007. I was a QM1 (SW) on the USS Porter (DDG-78) from 2000-2004. I was Navigator, celestial navigation, etc certified. I was an MA1 (SW) as a military and deputized civilian police officer in DC from 2004-2007. While on the Porter I did 3 deployments; Mediterranean (6 months), Arctic Circle (3 months) and Mediterranean/Red Sea for OIF (7 months). I was a federal civilian police officer for a few years after the Navy but that doesn't help this issue lol.

I live in Russia but am a citizen of the US. I have a dream to buy a motor yacht around 50-70', preferably 70 and live aboard and sail/dive whenever and wherever we want. I want to travel this way with my wife and daughter so they can get to experience all I did as far as visiting ports, diving, the open sea at night, etc.

So my question is what kind of license/certification do I need for just my friends and family on a 50-70 ish foot personal motor yacht for international and US inland, coastal and open ocean operation? If none then would it be wise to get one for insireance, I have USAA, and if so which would be best?

Thank you in advance for any advice and/or information you may give.

Thank you for your service

No license needed by law but insurers will require some experience operating boats. 50 will be a lot easier to insure (and run with limited experience) than 70... yes a licence will help (USCG OUPV aka 6 pack if in the US) but some experience will still be required for insurance.

Insurance availability and premiums vary greatly depending on the type of boat and year

Ditto to what Pascal said including thanking you for your service. Another option that might help with insurance is if you have a captain training you aboard. Once the captain feels confident you can manage the vessel and seaways without him, he can sign off and insurance can remove the captain contingency.

Welcome aboard YF and I hope you keep us posted on your progress, as well as contributing your vast areas of knowledge and experience.

Judy

When you were in the canoe-club (said with reverence since I'm an old tin-can sailor), did you have any small boat experience? Or as the MA? An "affirmative" answer will add to your resume. The other thing you will want to do, is have the USCG evaluate your sea time for a USCG license. This license would be for "unlimited tonnage", which when viewed by insurance companies is very much a "plus". It might be a way for you to achieve your goal.

"Haze grey and underway"!!

I am looking for advice on selecting an online captains license class. The two that seem to have caught my attention are the Maritime Insitute and the Marine Learning systems. Does anyone have an opinion? Not that it matters but I have had the same boat for 18 years, 62 gross tons, and have cruised up and down the pacific coast, Mexico and British Columbia, now looking to ship the boat to the East to cruise between Florida and Maine for two or three years. So I am a recreational boater with no interest in working in the business, just want to expand my knowledge.

If you re only doing it for the knowledge, dont waste your time.... you re not going to learn much. Reading Chapman's will be more benefitial

If you're just going to do online studying, I'd start with some of the state boating programs and then select a Captains licensing program. However, if you want the maximum gain, I'd go to an interactive course. I do think you could benefit from a Captains Licensing course but that would require you spend 8 to 11 days and $700-800. I haven't done the online licensing courses and don't know anyone who has so can't speak to their benefit. I do believe the courses at maritime schools are very beneficial.