Frequently Asked Questions
The Nautical School courses, course materials and license exams have been approved by the U.S.C.G. as an alternative to the regular testing process held at U.S.C.G. Regional Exam Centers. The benefit of The Nautical School testing is that the U.S.C.G. has literally thousands of questions in their database from which to draw a test. The Nautical School uses only a few hundred questions from that database and all questions are provided in the student workbook and study guide. All subject areas are fully covered to ensure a thorough understanding of all relevant material.
No. Successful completion of The Nautical School’s U.S.C.G. - approved course allows you to test in familiar surroundings with your fellow students at our facility.
Getting your license issued with The Nautical School has never been easier. You simply bring your completed application to the Nautical School and meet with one of our MCA's. Together we will verify that all licensing requirements have been met and the Nautical School will then submit your application directly to the USCG headquarters. When using the TNS-MCA service, and provided that there are no extenuating physical or background issues, typically, a license can be issued within approximately 6 to 8 days!
The course objective is simple: To provide you with the knowledge you need to meet the U.S. Coast Guard requirements for a Captain’s License, and be responsible for safely navigating a vessel up to 100 tons, as well as its passengers and cargo. The Captain’s Course – which includes the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) and Masters Upgrade – is fully approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. We will also give you the test at the end of the course. No additional Coast Guard exams are required.
The course is actually broken down into four sections: Rules of the Road, General Navigation, Navigation Plotting and Deck/General Safety.
During the Rules of the Road module, you’ll learn about inland and international rules such as lights and shapes, restricted visibility signals, approach situations, the General Prudential Rule, the rule of good seamanship and distress signals. The Navigation General component covers weather, navigation aids, publications and charts, as well as relative bearings and cardinal directions. This followed by the Navigation Plotting section, during which you’ll learn about compass correction and potential error problems, cross bearing fixes, course and speed made good, set and drift, course to steer/leeway, estimated time of arrival and tide and current problems. You’ll also benefit from hands-on dead reckoning/piloting experience on full size Mercator charts using high-quality navigational instruments.
Deck/General Safety consists of such subjects as fire fighting, handling and stability, seamanship, pollution prevention, federal regulations and emergency procedures.
How long is the class?
While the class schedule varies by location, the course comprises 60.5 hours of instruction. Instructors are available outside of class for extra assistance, if needed.
Yes, you must pass four examinations after completion of the course (you have up to a year) – and are allowed up to three tries on each exam to do so. Testing is generally offered the weekend following your course, and the instructor will announce the official date for your exam. Testing begins at 10 AM sharp and you must make an appointment to test!
- Rules of the Road features 50 questions on U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations.
- Deck/General Safety Exam, which focuses on general deck and safety issues including fire fighting, handling and stability, seamanship, pollution prevention, federal regulations and emergency procedures. For the OUPV license, there are 50 questions.
- Navigation General Exam, featuring 20 multiple choice questions on such topics as weather, navigation aids and publications, including Light List, Coast Pilot and the Tide of Current tables.
- Navigation Plotting Exam consists of 10 questions which require students to use parallel rulers and dividers to do navigation on Mercator charts. You will be tested on compass correction and potential error problems, cross bearing fixes, course and speed made good, set and drift, course to steer/leeway, estimated time of arrival and tide and current problems.
You must have the following to test:
- Your completed, stamped, class completion yellow sheet.
- Photocopy of ID, if not already given to your instructor.
- Plotting tools, pocket calculator, pen, pencil and eraser.
The Nautical School has no prerequisites for attending our course and many students take the course for knowledge and personal growth. There are some registration requirements in line with the U.S. Coast Guard prerequisites that you must fulfill before turning in your certificate for a license. The Nautical School will provide a checklist to “keep you on course”.
That is up to the U.S. Coast Guard. License size is determined by the Coast Guard based on Sea Service forms (that The Nautical School will provide) that document the experience you have from the age of 15 either on your boat(s) or other persons boat(s).
Yes, the U.S. Coast Guard requires that you pass a physical, drug test and have a current First Aid/CPR certification. This will assist in all of the above including recommending facilities, etc. Below are all of the U.S.C.G. Requirements for an Original License:
Application: A completed U.S. Coast Guard Application (supplied by The Nautical School).
Citizenship: You may present an original or notarized copy of one of the following: Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate, Passport. Naturalized citizens must present an original Certificate of Naturalization, copies will not be accepted. U.S. citizenship is not required for an OUPV (6-pack) license. Non-citizens must provide proof of being in the USA legally (i.e. Green Card).
Physical: A physical exam, done on a C.G. form (supplied by The Nautical School) taken within 12 months of applying. Eyesight must be 20/200 correctable to 20/40. Waivers are available.
CPR/FA: A certificate from the American Red Cross, or some other U.S.C.G. – approved course, for both CPR and First Aid within 12 months of applying.
Drug Test: Upon registration, you will receive a package which includes all of the forms and a checklist. The Nautical School will assist and facilitate with these requirements. Must be taken within 6 months of applying.
Sea Service: Your sea-time is recorded on a Sea Service form provided by The Nautical School. You do not need to present logs. You may serve as owner/operator of your boat, or operator/deckhand on another’s. You may make copies of this form to show time on more than one vessel. Use only one form per boat.
Aux. Sail: This is only for a Master’s License, to sail inspected sailing vessels. OUPV licenses cover uninspected power and sail vessels. Half of your required time must be on an auxiliary-sail vessel.
Boat Type: Any type vessel, power or sail.
While our approach has proven successful with the overwhelming majority of students, if you do not pass (remember, you get three chances on each exam), you may choose to:
Work with us until you pass the exams.
Take the course again – at no charge.
TWIC is a common identification credential for all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of MTSA-regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding U.S. Coast Guard issued credentials. Every existing licensed mariner must have one and all applications for new licenses must have a TWIC card enclosed. There are no exceptions. The Nautical School can assist you in obtaining a TWIC card.
For further information call the school at (631) 226-7300. You can also visit the TWIC web site at www.tsa.gov/twic
YES.
The Nautical School has been appointed as a Mariner Credentialing Agent (MCA) by the U.S. Coast Guard. This status greatly benefits the mariner as he or she does not have to visit the U.S. Coast Guard for any reason in order to apply for the license. Additionally, the application (which could easily range between 35 and 70 pages or more) is THOROUGHLY reviewed by the MCA to ensure that it is free of errors or inadvertent omissions. We are a full-service school and can provide you with ANYTHING missing from your application. From courses and examinations, to the USCG-required physical, drug test, and first aid/cpr, the Nautical School truly the ONLY FULL-SERVICE SCHOOL to make your licensing experience as pleasurable and trouble-free as possible. We will even administer the required oath!
Have more questions? Feel free to, get in touch with us.