USCG Captains Course

This course is primarily intended for individuals who will be responsible for the safe operation of uninspected passenger vessels of less than 100 Gross Tons.  The course is of limited duration yet provides the comprehensive training required of a USCG Approved Course as required in the Code of Federal Regulations.

The course deals with the techniques of safe navigation and the responsibilities of an operator. This is accomplished using electronic teaching and training methods (live lecture, PowerPoint, training videos, text, and quizzes), participant training techniques (task solving, both individually and in groups), simulation exercises, and question and answer sessions.

Upon successful completion of this course each student will be issued a certificate of completion, which may be submitted, within one year, to the USCG as proof of competency. The certificate is also proof that the student has met the testing requirements under CFR46, Title 10.

Participants successfully completing the training course for OUPV Near Coastal should be capable of undertaking all of the responsibilities expected of an operator within their field of expertise (Passenger, Towing, or Private Vessel).

The principal aim is to develop individual trainer attributes. Thus, the thrust of the course is directed at prompting the knowledge, skills and attitudes, which the “ideal” operator should possess, i.e.:

o    Skills relating to:

o    Safe navigation
o    Basic ship handling
o    Basic Seamanship
o    Bridge watch standing
o    Using the Rules of the Road
o    Knowledge Survival, Fire Prevention and Stability

o    Managerial skills and aptitudes relating to:

o    Voyage planning
o    Organizing
o    Identifying and using resources
o    Leadership
o    Interpersonal relationships
o    Professionalism

The course is 56 hours of instruction / contact hours. Testing is completed after the 56-hours and is not part of the 56-hour curriculum.
The curriculum is broken down as follows:

Introduction                        0.5
Rules of the Road                    16
Charts and Publication                2
Meteorology                        1
Aids to Navigation                    2
Visual Range of Lights                1
Tides and Currents                    3
General Seamanship                    1
Marlinespike Seamanship                3
Shiphandling                        3
Anchoring and Mooring                .5
Engineering                        1
CFR                            1
Shipboard Drills                    1
Firefighting                        2
Survival                        2
Maritime Law and Ship’s Business            2
Communications                    1
Health and Basic Safety                1
Pollution                        .5
Navigation Equipment                .5
Voyage Planning                    1
Magnetic Compasses                    1
Electronic Navigation                    1.5
Introduction to Navigation                1
Plotting and Navigation                7
        TOTAL:            56.5 hours