Classes

Mariners Learning System™ has developed an intuitive learning approach that's direct, clear, and effective. By providing a methodical, well-organized program of professionally produced, on-demand lectures, videos, and companion materials, our students are able to absorb and retain what they have learned.

• Course Materials
• Course Overview
• License Requirements
• Lesson Plan
• Testing

One year's access to our award-winning Internet based narrated lecture and interactive learning system. Included with each Mariners Learning System™ course is 24/7 access to our online instructors. In the rare event that an online instructor cannot answer your question, toll free telephone support with one of our Staff Instructors will be provided.

• So You Want to be a Captain?
• Navigational Rules of the Road
• Piloting and General Navigation

• Navigational Rules of the Road
• Seamanship for the Mariner
• Navigation for the Mariner - Two-volume set
• Maritime Law - Uninspected Passenger Vessels

• (1) Full sized Long Island Sound Training Chart - 12354TR
• (1) Weems & Plath 12" Nautical Parallel Rule
• (1) Weems & Plath 6" Dividers
• (2) Plotting Pencils
• (1) Plotting Eraser
• (1) Pencil Sharpener

The Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels(OUPV/Charter Boat Captain) is the most popular of the Captain's Licenses and is required for those who wish to operate fishing and sailing charters, run a dive boat, or offer sightseeing tours, etc.

• Navigational Rules of the Road
• Aids to Navigation & Chart Plotting
• Electronic Navigation
• Characteristics of Weather Systems
• Lifesaving Equipment & Safety

This license entitles the holder to carry up to six passengers "for hire." Including the Captain and Mate, that adds up to eight people authorized onboard power or sailing vessels up to 100-tons.

For this license, a day of sea service is defined as at least 4 hours underway on any given calendar day and can be counted back to your 16th birthday. You do not have to know the exact dates - just the number of days each year.

This license can be issued for the Great Lakes, U.S. Inland Waters or U.S. Near Coastal waters (depending on where you gained your experience).

Included with each Mariners Learning System™ course is 24/7 access to our online instructors. Each instructor is a USCG Licensed Master that has gone through a rigorous approval process meeting the standards of the United States Coast Guard to become a certified instructor. They bring a level of knowledge, experience, and professionalism that adds to the total learning process. In the rare event than an online instructor cannot answer your question, toll free telephone support with one of our Staff Instructors will be provided.

The USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV/SixPack Captain's License) allows the holder to carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons (about 75-90 feet long). These are usually smaller vessels that normally engage in charter fishing, SCUBA diving, or sailing cruises. As such, these vessels are limited to six paying passengers plus crew-hence the term "Six-Pack." The OUPV License is issued in three forms:

The OUPV Inland license is restricted to operation shoreward of the boundary line, excluding the Great Lakes. As a general rule, the U.S. Boundary Line follows coastal shorelines and across the entrances to small bays, inlets, and rivers. This license is valid on uninspected vessels to 100 gross tons.

• This license requires at least 360 days of Documented Experience in the operation of vessels, with 90 of the 360 days occurring in the last three years. Experience gained prior to 15 years of age may not be counted.
• The Six-pack Inland License can be upgraded to a Near Coastal License once 90 days experience seaward of the U.S. Boundary has been achieved.

360 total with at least 90 days service on the Great Lakes.

This license is valid on vessels up to 100 gross tons and out to 100 nautical miles.

The OUPV Near Coastal License also requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, 90 of which must be gained seaward of the boundary line. Ninety of the 360 days must be in the last three years. Experience gained prior to the age of 16 will not be counted.

Note: Sea Service experience can be counted on your own vessel. A Small Vessel Sea Service Form and proof of ownership are required. Experience on other people's vessels can also be counted. In this instance, to verify experience claimed and vessel details, a completed Sea Service Form with the owner's signature must accompany the application.

• Obtain a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC Card)
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Pass a Physical Examination
• Take a Drug Test unless enrolled in a USCG - approved random drug program for at least 60 of the last 185 days, and with no failure or refusal to participate in a chemical test for dangerous drugs
• CPR/First Aid Card
• U.S. Citizenship, permanent resident "Green Card," or other work visa.
• Provide Three Character References
• Completion of Mariners Learning System™ USCG-approved Master 25/50/100 Ton online course
• Completed USCG Original License Application Package

• Part A - General
• Section I - Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
• Section II - Conduct of Vessels in Any Condition of Visibility
• Section III - Conduct of Vessels in Restricted Visibility
• Part C - Lights and Shapes
• Part D - Sound and Light Signals
• Differences between International and U.S. Inland Rules of the Road

• Fire Fighting
• Marine Engine Operations
• Marine Radiotelephone
• Lifesaving Equipment
• Pollution Prevention

• Basic Seamanship
• Characteristics of Weather systems
• Ship Handling
• Emergency Procedures
• Maritime Law

• Piloting
• Compasses
• Plotting
• Tides and Currents
• Approaches to Anchorages and Harbors
• Electronic Navigation Equipment

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennslyvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Mariners Learning System™ has Coast Guard approved testing facilities located throughout the country. Each student wishing to complete one of Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved courses is required to pass a proctored exam to receive a Certificate of Completion. This Certificate of Completion will be accepted by the Coast Guard in lieu of taking one of their exams for licensing purposes. If a student fails one or more modules, he or she may test twice without delay of the failed modules. Those who do not pass an exam module after three attempts must wait a period of 45 days to retest. The student will be required to complete the entire course prior to being allowed another three attempts at each module. In this case the student must retest and pass all exam modules.

To sit for a proctored exam you are required to have a confirmed date and seat in the Mariners Learning System™ proctored exam room. Without this electronic confirmation you will not be permitted to test.

Testing dates/locations close 14 calendar days before the scheduled test date, therefore you must register more than 14 calendar days before the scheduled test date.

Students testing for the first time and also retest students must register via the online registration.Only students who are currently enrolled in a Mariners Learning System™ Course are permitted to register to take a Proctored Exam.

When you arrive to take the proctored exam you will be required to provide the proctor with a copy of the electronic proctored exam enrollment form, a legible copy of your Coast Guard recognized photo identification, and your online final exam completion letter(s). These copies will be retained for our records per USCG requirements. The list of acceptable forms of photo identification includes:

• U.S. Military identification card
• U.S. drivers license
• U.S. Passport
• Official identification card issued by a State, or local government.
• Official identification card issued by the Federal Government.
• Law enforcement credential, with photograph of the applicant, issued by Federal, State or local government
• Merchant Marine Document issued after February 3, 2003
• Foreign Passport

Once the student completes the course quizzes and online Module Exam they make an appointment to take their final proctored exam with Mariners Learning System™. No testing at the Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers. The grading standards are: