So You Want To Earn Your  Captains License – Some Literary Inspiration to Motivate You

These days, there’s no need for you to leave your home because there few of the classics out there that can surely take you right on the water. So, if you think to pursue your captains license or just want to read a great story about man’s interaction with the sea, then you can’t surely go wrong with the following:

Literary Piece of Ernest Hemingway: The Old Man and the Sea (1952)

With this literary piece, Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize along with countless satisfied readers. It contains all the details regarding with the struggle of an old man by the name of Santiago who is on the haunt for a large marlin. The said man is under pressure to catch something that he has not caught anything in over 80 days. But on his 88 day, Santiago finally catches hold of the marlin, and the novella follows Santiago’s fight with the mammoth beast and the sea. With this terse prose of Hemingway, he again dominates this love story of man and nature. That is why, if you have the desire to gain a better understanding of man’s relationship with the sea, then there’s no better place to start than this award-winning story which is also known as the last literary piece of Hemingway.

Literary Piece of Patrick O’Brian: Master and Commander (1969)

Skip the Russell Crowe movie. Nobody can capture a sea battle scene better than Patrick O’Brian. This so-called historical fiction novel takes place during the Napoleonic Wars and is loosely based off Lord Cochrane. This literary piece chronicles the adventures of Captain Jack Aubrey and Stephan Maturin as they try to stay alive and serenade the sea with music. This is the first of 21 books, and you should definitely start from the beginning. This book is heralded for its realism and detail. If you want to feel like you’re in the Royal Navy in the 1800s, read O’Brian.

Literary Piece of C.S. Forester: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (1950)

You can’t have a list of sea fiction without including Horatio Hornblower. This is the first book in chronological order where we meet Hornblower. It must be noted that this was not the first book Forester published. That would be Beat to Quartersin 1937. In Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, Horatio Hornblower begins his career in the Royal Navy. He suffers from seasickness, but his mathematical skills make him a natural at nautical analysis. He is derided by some but ultimately becomes acting Lieutenant by the end of this novel. The novel has ten self-contained chapters and is a joy to read for anyone wishing to read historical fiction about naval life.  The author of the next book on this short list often said he recommended Hornblower to everyone literate he knew.

We hope you enjoy these literary classics about famous men that have accomplished their captains license and live the captains dream on the open sea.

 So You Want To Earn Your Captains License– Medical Dis-qualifiers

Remember that it is very important for every crew member be physically fit and free from any debilitating illness and injury so that they can safely operate a maritime vessel. Typically, availability of medical assistance or treatment is generally minimal and the seafaring life can be grueling, often hazardous.

Below are some maritime safety guidelines that you may follow. However, they are not intended to be absolute or all encompassing.

We cannot deny the fact that there are some individuals that may have other medical or physical conditions and limitations that would make them incompetent to do their maritime duties aboard vessel. There are also some individuals who may be quite capable of working at sea without even posing a risk to themselves, their ship, or shipmates even though one of the listed conditions exists.

The ability of each crew member to perform his or her routine duties and respond to emergencies becomes even more critical, as the industry continues its trend toward smaller crews. The following are the top 5 medical conditions that can delay your Captains License application or cause the application to be denied:

• Sleep Apnea
• Chronic use of Narcotics
• Diabetes
• Cardiac Disease
• Psychiatric Disorders

Keep in mind that it is really important for you to provide medical documentation from your Doctor if you have one or more of these medical conditions. Any cause for rejection is disqualifying only while the condition persists or is likely to cause disqualifying complications.

 USCG approved STCW-95 courses

Did you know that there is no better way to learn safety skills than to practice them side by side with a team of accomplished maritime safety instructors? Exactly! During a five day course, you can the chance to learn various skills such as personal survival, firefighting, safety and social responsibility, and of course the first aid/CPR theory. Aside from this, you can also practice all of these skills in different environments.

With this kind of maritime training, you can fully understand on how to put on the full fire-fighting gear and practice putting out fires; quickly change into a survival suit, deploy a liferaft, and enter the raft which will be floating in a pool simulating an abandon ship situation; fine tune your first aid and CPR skills to ensure that you will be prepared in an emergency situation; all while learning how to work effectively, efficiently, and respectively in a team environment!

Also, this course is instructed in compliance with STCW-95 Code A; V1-2 and provides a variety of practical and theoretical lessons fundamental to onboard safety. This course is followed by a written exam. Certificates received at the end of the entire course: Candidates who successfully complete the CC/OP STCW course will receive the following:

1. A.      First Aid Certificate (S.T.C.W. 95)
2. B.      Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (S.T.C.W. 95)
3. C.      Basic Sea Survival Certificate (S.T.C.W. 95)
4. D.      Fire Fighting Certificate (S.T.C.W. 95

What does STCW means?

STCW is a five day course. In other words, it is a one day Personal Survival course module which is instructed in compliance with STCW ’95 Code A – VI/1-2 and consists of a half day in a classroom covering subjects like evacuations, emergency situations, survival craft and rescue boats, personal lifesaving appliances, survival at sea, emergency radio equipment and helicopter assistance. The rest of the module can be done in a swimming pool wherein you need to perform life raft inflation and inversion and the simulation of other abandon ship procedures. Both the theory and practical are followed by an exam.

A two day Fire Prevention module which is instructed in compliance with STCW ’95 Code A – VI/1-2 including shipboard fire fighting organization, the elements of fire and explosion, types of ignition, fire and smoke detection, breathing apparatus use and automatic alarm system familiarization. CC/OP trainees will fight and extinguish actual fires using personal equipment, appliances methods and various agents. The module includes seminar and practical instruction taught by licensed and certified fire fighting professionals. It takes two days to complete and is followed by a written exam.

A one day First Aid and CPR course which is instructed in compliance with STCW ’95 Code A – VI/1-2 and consists of approximately seven hours of theory and practical covering basic First Aid and CPR in marine situations. Through classroom lecture and use of an anatomical mannequin suitable for performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the student will demonstrate the following:

• Initial treatment for severe bleeding
• Initial treatment for severe burns
• Basic patient transport
• Basic life support (CPR) for an adult victim

STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) course is the cornerstone to maritime training, and is one of the most important and fun courses required.  It provides a hands-on training experience with safety equipment combined with classroom instruction, and is designed for all seafarers with designated safety or pollution prevention duties.

• Our 3-day, 22-hour STCW Basic Safety Training Refresher is for those mariners who have previously taken the 5-day; 40-hour Basic Safety Training and require its renewal for their credential.  (Note: BST can be renewed without this class if a mariner can prove to the USCG they have 360 days of sea time sailing beyond the boundary line during the last 5 years.  (See USCG Policy Letter 12-01.)

BST 5-day; 40-hour  (required for individuals who have not previously completed BST)

Compass Courses’ Basic Safety Training is comprised of 4 modules that meet USCG and STCW standards.  They are:

• Basic Fire Fighting
  This is one of the most interesting courses of the BST modules.  You receive hands-on training extinguishing live fires in a controlled environment.  By successfully completing this 16-hour course will be able to minimize the risk of fire, maintain a state of readiness to respond to emergency situations involving fire, and fight and extinguish shipboard fires. This section of the BST training is two days, and includes one day of classroom theory and one day of live-fire training.  The live-fire training is conducted at the Washington State Fire Training Academy, located in North Bend, WA. This facility provides excellent hands on training using realistic wood fires (Class A) and liquid fires (Class B) to help you gain superior training.  The instructors are fire fighters with years of maritime experience.  This course is designed for all seafarers with designated safety or pollution prevention duties. [Images of WSFTA and students.]

The Legal: Any applicant who has successfully completed our 16-hour Basic Fire Fighting course will satisfy:  a)  the Basic Safety Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting training requirements of Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code and 46 CFR10.205(1)(2); AND b)  the Basic Fire Fighting training requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(g) and 10.401(g)(1) for a license; AND the Fire Fighting training requirements of 46 CFR 13.201(e), 13.301(e), 13.401(d) or 13.501(e) for any tankerman endorsement.

• Personal Survival Techniques (PST)  This is possibly the most critical training module of Basic Safety Training.  Learn, practice and demonstration the skills for successfully using lifejackets, liferafts and immersion (survival) suits.  Training and demonstrations are conducted in the comfort and safety of a swimming pool allowing you to focus on the equipment, not the cold water.  A trainee successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate competency in surviving at sea in the event of abandoning ship.  This 12-hour course is designed for all seafarers with designated safety or pollution prevention duties, but it worthwhile for anyone working on the water. [Images of righting the raft and students in immersion suits.]

The Legal: Any applicant who has successfully completed our 12-hour Personal Survival Techniques course will satisfy the Personal Survival Techniques training requirements of Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code and 46 CFR 10.205(l).

• First Aid & CPR (Medical Emergencies at Sea)
  This 8-hour course is taught by an experienced medical care provider.  It covers basic First Aid and CPR with an emphasis on techniques and methods used while at sea. A trainee successfully completing this course will be able to take immediate action upon encountering an accident or other medical emergency. [Images of CPR practice and backboard training.]

The Legal: Any applicant who has successfully completed our 8-hour First Aid & CPR course will satisfy the Basic Safety- Elementary First Aid training requirements of Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-3 of the STCW Code and 46 CFR 10.205(l)(3); AND if presented within one year of the date or training, the First Aid & CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(h)(1)(ii) and 10.205(h)(2)(iii) for original issuance of a license.

• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) This part of BST covers the aspects of working on vessels that are crucial to a safe and healthy workplace.  By successfully completing this course you will be able to comply with emergency procedures, take precautions to prevent pollution of the marine environment, observe safe working practices, understand orders and be understood in relation to shipboard duties, and contribute to effective human relationships on board ship.  [Images of Exxon Valdez and Deepwater Horizon.]

The Legal: Any applicant who has successfully complete our 4-hour Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities course will satisfy the Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities training requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(l)(4) and Section A-VI/1 and Table A-VI/1-4 for the STCW Code.  This 4-hour course is designed for all seafarers with designated safety or pollution prevention duties.