Okay, so I hear how people are getting their sixpack or 100ton through the Coast Guard. People are holding courses at the unit, or taking the course somewhere and having the CG pay for it. My last unit ESO says there's no way to do this, but yet I hear it all the time. Can anyone clarify how this process works or what funds units are using? Also, are people doing online courses? Any and all information would be much appreciated. If you feel more confortable using e-mail, brook.l.blount@uscg . Thanks!
When I went through Sea School back around 2000, Customs put us MEO's through on their dime and we went during our shifts.
We had Coasties from Station Islamorada there but I felt bad as from what I understood, they were paying for it themselves. I'm not sure how it worked with the Fish & Wildlife Officers (previously Florida Marine Patrol) who attended.
I hope you can figure out a way to have the course paid for. It will only improve the coxswains for the Coast Guard.
BMBLOUNT, FWIW...we paid out of pocket, then applied for the Van Der Putten (sp?) Grant and CGMA Education Reimbursement funds. My total expense was about $300.00, Licensure fees included. There is probably someone around here who has the secret recipe for "free". My $.02... If you can't get it all paid for, still get it. Might as well get something for being a BM in the CG...you know...besides being awesome! Side note: I have found the experience eye-opening, to say the least. It has given me a different perspective when dealing with some of our "customers". Good luck.
CGFEG will re-imburse you for it up to $350 and the Van Putten Education Grant will re-imburse you for up to $500, but you have to use the CGFE Grant up before you can use the VPEG. You can find the application for them on the institute web page.
If you can find a college that will offer OUPV course TA will pay for it. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College offers an online version that I'll be taking. It's 3 credit hours and cost $695.00, and TA pays that in full. Your ESO can also act as a proxy exam center as well, when taking the actual test. Hope this helps
Originally posted by sebacrash: Sam is correct. My XPO is currently enrolled in this class and doing it on line.
How does he like it? I probably won't start until this winter when we pull the boats and get into Ice Rescue mode(whopping 3 ice cases last year). I'll have plenty of down time then to do it. Thanks Sam
I'm interested in knocking out my Test's for Masters 100 ton and getting my sail and towing endorsement's. I was planning on taking the tests at the REC instead of going through the classes. Will TA cover my tests at the REC or am I going to have to shell out the dough for it.
P.S. Does anyone have a copy of a Random Drug testing CG Memorandum to take to the REC office, and will my yearly physical work for the MMD medical exam requirement.
Originally posted by ashatsea: I'm interested in knocking out my Test's for Masters 100 ton and getting my sail and towing endorsement's. I was planning on taking the tests at the REC instead of going through the classes. Will TA cover my tests at the REC or am I going to have to shell out the dough for it.
P.S. Does anyone have a copy of a Random Drug testing CG Memorandum to take to the REC office, and will my yearly physical work for the MMD medical exam requirement.
I also wanted to know does our DWO test count for the Rules of the Road requirement?
I was able to get District funding to attend the California Sailing Academy version of the OUPV in May. The Navrules is built into it and having passed a CG version of it or DWO dosen't keep you from having to do that part of the test. It also goes vice versa, the OUPV test won't take the place of CG DWO for you.
By taking the California Sailing Academy course, their test takes the place of the REC test. So, I just applied for my TWIC and took all my papers down to the Rec.
I took in down in San Diego, and I had it paid for through TA. You just have to make sure that the Maritime Institute is a creditable school. Thats where the loop hole is. The course must be worth college credit.
I would still wonder why you folks limit yourself to the OUPV license when the sea time requirements for an Inland Master, 100 ton, Mate 200 ton Inland, and OUPV, near coastal all require the same sea time. Now the 100 ton may only come to 50 tons if you have 41 or 47' time, but that can be upgraded with tonnage increases. You can apply for and hold both an uninspected '6 pac' and an inspected vessel Master at the same time and application. Get you moneys worth if you're getting into this game.
Originally posted by Mastersmate: I would still wonder why you folks limit yourself to the OUPV license when the sea time requirements for an Inland Master, 100 ton, Mate 200 ton Inland, and OUPV, near coastal all require the same sea time. Now the 100 ton may only come to 50 tons if you have 41 or 47' time, but that can be upgraded with tonnage increases. You can apply for and hold both an uninspected '6 pac' and an inspected vessel Master at the same time and application. Get you moneys worth if you're getting into this game.
We did both, one after the other. The additional studying and one more test to follow the OUPV with Masters was nothing to get worried about. If you've got everything down for OUPV, we're talking just a few more things for "Master".
Another thought on the licensing school track. A BM that has accrued the required sea time, has the DWO completed, has been operating vessels on the appropriate waters and the appropriate tonnage, should not have difficulty passing a 100 ton Master/200 ton Mate on their own. Brush up on Rules of the Road, go to the REC and take it there. Saves the CG assistance money.
Although a lot of companies are looking for 500/1600ton Master & Mate licenses, from contacts in various parts of the industry, Gulf of Mexico crew boats s running around the $ 350.00 a day rate (12 hour day). IF you can get a 500/1600 Mate and complete the Towing Officers Assesments, scuttlebutt has towing Mates in the $400.00 and up per day.
