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just passed the OUPV. Masters license here i come!

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/02/2011 : 15:31:21

Ok, well now that I know hovercraft flash yellow 120 times a minute and minesweepers display 3 green balls, I feel like I am ready for anything. WTF? They still use Loran for the test? Good news, all tests use Block Island Sound, Long Island Sound, or the Cheaseapake entrance chart for the test. Places I have already been more than a few times. Nice to know the Coasties like some of the same places I do. Guys from FL really struggled cuz they had never seen these charts.

That been said, as the only blow boater in the class, I took a lot of *** the first week and almost quit. By the second week, the instructor apologized and said that he knew I knew more than the rest of the class and yadadada... Now I like him, and the rest was pretty smooth. Charting was challenging, as was remembering which light combos go where and when. Over all a good experience.

Sten

Edited by - redviking on 09/02/2011 15:34:13

Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 16:30:50

Way to go cap! I remember how challenging that test was, you really have to earn it. May I suggest you take the extra step and get your sailing endorsement? If you are a competent sailor you should have no problem with it. IIRC it was like 25 questions and took about 10 minutes. Well worth the effort. I'm not sure it applies to OUPV but if not then when you upgrade to masters go for it!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Ok, well now that I know hovercraft flash yellow 120 times a minute and minesweepers display 3 green balls, I feel like I am ready for anything. WTF? They still use Loran for the test? Good news, all tests use Block Island Sound, Long Island Sound, or the Cheaseapake entrance chart for the test. Places I have already been more than a few times. Nice to know the Coasties like some of the same places I do. Guys from FL really struggled cuz they had never seen these charts.

That been said, as the only blow boater in the class, I took a lot of *** the first week and almost quit. By the second week, the instructor apologized and said that he knew I knew more than the rest of the class and yadadada... Now I like him, and the rest was pretty smooth. Charting was challenging, as was remembering which light combos go where and when. Over all a good experience.

Sten

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

DavidCrosby
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 17:14:35

Sten,

Now the fun really begins. After successfully passing the tests, I had 53 pages of paperwork to turn into the USCG to get my Masters and Sail Endorsement.

FYI, if you are effected at all by seasickness and have ever used the Scopolamine patches, don't admit it. It will cause you more trouble than it is worth.

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 04:58:55

Congrats...the Army use to use the same charts for their training and tests, so when I went through Sea School in St Pete and took the test (back when the USCG gave the test) I was quite familiar with the charts. Do you have your TWIC card yet? Another way for the Gov to suck more $$ out of you.

Edited by - TCurran on 09/03/2011 04:59:35

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 07:37:44

Yup--I recall that Eastern L.I.S./Block chart back in my CT Safe Boating class 20-something years ago, and am quite familiar with the area now--that helped when they mention things like Sugar Reef...

I'm guessing you did the sailing endorsement--it's a no-brainer and good on the OUPV. Wish I had the recent sea time to get it so I could captain the catboat Breck Marshall at the Mystic Seaport--one of the most popular attractions. She gets a lot more business than my Herreshoff launch, Resolute.

One paperwork challenge for my OUPV was getting proof that I owned a couple of the boats I was claiming service on--I didn't keep the old records, and the state and insurance company had discarded most of them. The other challenge was the wringer they put me through because I had a fluke "angina" incident some 13 years ago... They say I'm gonna hafta have an "annual cardiology consultation" to keep the license. I'm wondering what that'll cost me, and whether it's worth i to drive for the Seaport...

Anyway, congratulations, Cap! Now your wife has to call you, "Captain, my Captain"!

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 10:21:42

Congratulations Captain Sten, what's next?

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 11:03:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Congratulations Captain Sten, what's next?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks! Sleep for a week straight? Have the TWIC card, not a real issue, nice piece of plastic. BTW - My instructor, 30 years in the Coast Guard, said that radio checks on 16 were fine and way better than those who share fishing holes on 16....

Dave, you aren't supposed to use YOUR Doc for the Physical. Just one that takes your BP, listens to you breathe and checks your eyesight. Easy peasey. They brought one in and that was that. Thank god I studied for the drug test!

sten

Edited by - on

Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 14:05:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Congratulations Captain Sten, what's next?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks! Sleep for a week straight? Have the TWIC card, not a real issue, nice piece of plastic. BTW - My instructor, 30 years in the Coast Guard, said that radio checks on 16 were fine and way better than those who share fishing holes on 16....

sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Arrggghh you had to go there... It brings back memories of a 10 hour passage we did last week while monitoring VHF 16. We were picking up traffic from two CG sectors. Each was broadcasting regular advisories to not use 16 for radio checks. Also one of the CG Aux units would regularly chime in with their version of the same. End result was we heard the same message about every 15 minutes for the entire passage... PLEASE use any other channel, if not for safety then for our sanity! :)

Edited by - on

Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 14:06:08

You know, ironically now that I think about it there were more advisories blocking 16 then radio checks... At least that day.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ryan L
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Congratulations Captain Sten, what's next?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks! Sleep for a week straight? Have the TWIC card, not a real issue, nice piece of plastic. BTW - My instructor, 30 years in the Coast Guard, said that radio checks on 16 were fine and way better than those who share fishing holes on 16....

sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Arrggghh you had to go there... It brings back memories of a 10 hour passage we did last week while monitoring VHF 16. We were picking up traffic from two CG sectors. Each was broadcasting regular advisories to not use 16 for radio checks. Also one of the CG Aux units would regularly chime in with their version of the same. End result was we heard the same message about every 15 minutes for the entire passage... PLEASE use any other channel, if not for safety then for our sanity! :)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2011 : 15:54:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ryan L
 You know, ironically now that I think about it there were more advisories blocking 16 then radio checks... At least that day.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ryan L
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Congratulations Captain Sten, what's next?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks! Sleep for a week straight? Have the TWIC card, not a real issue, nice piece of plastic. BTW - My instructor, 30 years in the Coast Guard, said that radio checks on 16 were fine and way better than those who share fishing holes on 16....

sten
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Arrggghh you had to go there... It brings back memories of a 10 hour passage we did last week while monitoring VHF 16. We were picking up traffic from two CG sectors. Each was broadcasting regular advisories to not use 16 for radio checks. Also one of the CG Aux units would regularly chime in with their version of the same. o End result was we heard the same message about every 15 minutes for the entireo passage... PLEASE use any other channel, if not for safety then for our sanity! :)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That part I will agree on. SD must be a cluster f of stupid radio calls. I hate stupidity on 16 more than your average Joe as I have had to suffer thru all that crap myself. I hear you, believe me. My instructor did say that high traffic areas are places where 9 or a working channel would be prudent unless you were offshore 15 plus and wanted to make sure someone could hear you should conditions change rapidly.

We skipped Charleston on our way south when conditions were predicted to get worse. Tried to outrun a storm.... Yeah, got it... Stupid. Anyhow it wasn't the worst we have ever seen although the below decks hydraulic ap couldn't hold a course and we slid off the side of a few 18 footers. Deck lights on to assist with steering. Plexy hatchboard in place, wife down below, when I hear her hail the coasties. I had my own RAM mike in the cockpit, so I could hear everything. I wanted to break in, but found myself yelling at the top of my lungs, "get the freak off of the radio, this is not an emergency!" Nonetheless, the Coasties kept her on 16 for about 5 minutes while she relayed our position, sea state and winds, and then our new intended course and destination - which became Savannah not St. Augustine - and confirmed it was a class A port. No watch schedule, no check in, nothing. Just a sailing vessel in rough weather chatting with the Coasties and vice versa.

Common sense rules.

It depends on when and where and why.

Sten

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2011 : 13:00:47

I tried SeaTow's auto-check on Ch. 27 yesterday--liked it. They responded with their location and a playback of my message so I heard what I sounded like... then followed that with a commercial I didn't have to listen to. It's nice not to have to get somebody to respond, and to not take time on a hailing or emergency channel. (I'm not quarreling with the argument for using 16 off-shore.)

Edited by - on

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