My USCG 100 ton ticket is coming up for renewal in a few months but in doubt whether I want to go through the renewal process again: Got the application package in front of me, 8 sheets or 16 pages to fill out. Can’t remember from previous renewals if this is the way it was always done? (It makes it seem the CG never saved any previous information and every day is a brand new day, Like the way my dog experience life) Why do I even consider renewing this ticket after I shut down my charter business and after I quit doing deliveries and the occasional Yacht Captain gig? I plan to charter bare-boats in the future, like 50’ sailboats in the Caribbean or the Bahamas: Does it matter if one is a licensed Captain vs a former Licensed Captain? Same with my present small boat, do I still get the insurance discounts with an expired ticket? Possible tax benefits keeping a professional license? How many retired Captains keep their ticket current just for pleasure boating? (Feeling lazy here, don’t want to fill out all the forms and renew, yet I don’t want to regret letting it expire, did that Once before and had to take the school and the testing again, much harder in 1999 than 1985 it was, either the brain had slowed down, or there was more stuff to learn)
I went through the same internal debate during my last renewal. For me, the cost savings on my annual boat insurance and the ease of chartering a vessel in the BVI were the deciding factors in renewing. I got frustrated with the endless forms and found it was easier to make an appointment at a USCG Office and they made filling out the forms a breeze. Besides, I hate giving up something I worked hard to get.
Great Minds Think Alike How does the USCG Office help you fill out the forms? I have done 4 renewals in the past and did the forms at home using Sea Time to renew, except I did the Open Book Testing once at the MPT Office in Fort Lauderdale, it was a breeze, but I moved to North Florida 2 years ago, too long of a drive to do MPT again, Got a buddy here who is an Doc, he will do the medical form for beer, also got the Quest Drug testing place locally, but the 16 pages to fill out, then going over my Sea Time days for 5 years, etc.. (Trying to talk myself out of it, but maybe I should bite the bullet.) Will call the Jacksonville USCG Office tomorrow and see if they can help out..
Never give it up. I'll be renewing mine in a few months. I'll be 65. I do expect some issues but I want it current till......
I went to the testing center in Oakland CA which is only about an hour from my boat. I had a log of my Sea Service, Medical Exam form and Drug Screen. Very nice guy at the Oakland office took my paperwork and then filled out remaining forms electronically while I sat and answered questions. Maybe I got lucky or he felt sorry for me, or both. First time I ever went that route. I just had a couple of questions about one of the forms and took me into his office and cranked everything out in short order.
Nice, maybe there is a kindler and gentler Coast Guard out there.? 65? You be the Baby.. I am 67 but look like I am uh, 47 or 48 at the most.. Life is still great, love my wife, my dog, my boat and good food ‘n drink every day. Thx for the comments Gentlemen.
The paperwork is no big deal… especially now that it’s all submitted on line by email. Finding a place to do the medical and the drug test is a little more difficult, but I do it in FTL at a walk in office. one of my regrets is having let my Commercial pilot license lapse years ago.
Hmm, not sure your Commercial Pilot License disappears without you using it. Your Instrument Rating however goes non-current if you don’t fly 6 hours with 6 IFR approaches in 6 months, or that was the rules when I was a flight instructor. As for your Commercial, the currency was 3 landings in 90 days to legally carry passengers and a medical every 12 months for a class 2, but also a Part 135 check ride to do charters. You actual license may still be valid once you do the currency to fly with pax. (I guess the USCG is not too difficult compared to the FAA)
Either way, a pilot license does not expire like a CG ticket. (Except a CFI) Unless things have changed since I retired from flying a few years ago. Yes, there is currency requirement but your license will only be revoked if you fly drunk or do other stupid sh!t, then have to start over again from scratch. (Like a CG ticket going stale) That being said, heard there is a new “Dormant Rule” for USCG tickets..