Recess
Although I have yet to write about it, I finished up the shore-based Yachtmaster theory course that I was taking on Wednesday morning. There were three exams in total and I am relieved to say that I scored very well in all of them (100/100/93).
Contrary to what some people have been asking though, this alone does not equal a Captain’s license. I have a few more hoops to jump through first:
- I need to renew my first aid certification. I think Rebecca will be joining me when I do this, for which I’m very happy. Who else will there be to take care of me if I get injured?
- I need to do an on-the-water exam. This is the biggy and will combine boat handling under power and sail, docking, MOB retrieval and plotting/navigation/planning using all the skills learned in the shore based course. And all this will be done on a (Gasp!) monohull, aka “unimaran.”
- I need to document all of my sea miles.
- I need to complete a Sea Survival course. The nearest place to do that I believe is Trinidad.
- I need to have a medical done.
Once all of that is completed, and passed, I should have a commercial ticket. What we do with said license after that is still up in the air. It’s good to have options though.
By the way, big thanks to Rebecca for picking up the slack and looking after all my boat chores for the week that I was locked in that air-conditioned classroom!
My “classroom” at True Blue Resort. In truth, it was in a conference room just above this.
A lot nicer than any school I’ve been in up to this point.
We went out to celebrate my first day’s exams with Chinese food at Choo Light.
It was pretty good, especially considering we’re in Grenada.
Did you enjoy this post? If so, please take one more moment and click on this link and the one that follows to vote for our friend Carlton Grooms in Tommy Bahama’s Rumologist contest (see yesterday’s post for more details if you missed it). I’m going to nag about this for the entire next week so you might as well do it and feel good about it. 🙂 Thanks guys!
Well done! Congratulations!
Thanks guys! Are you two still in Trinidad?
Congrats on finishing your class work! Have fun on the unimaran, they are more fun to sail anyway. :p Not as comfy for living on but heeling sure is fun. 😀
Thanks Cidnie. I think sailing on a tippy boat is like driving a car with a standard transmission… fun for a day or so but then it gets old for me.
Unimaran… LOL.
Not sure where I heard that first but I like it too.
Congrats & voting also done 🙂 as for what will you do with your new cert. CHARGE people for coming / going out with you for a week or so. I am sure there will be a few people willing to pay not just “donate” for food etc LOL !!
Yes, although I’m not so sure our little boat is all that suitable for a charter gig, unless they’re into roughing it. 🙂
PS: Thanks for voting for our friend!
Don’t short change yourselves and your boat, your boat is way good enough and your personalities appear to be everything charter guests would enjoy and happily pay to experience. Seriously!!!!!
You could be right, Ken.
Congratulations!!!! Well done on those scores.
Thanks Sandra!
Well done on the theory. Better marks than I got.
One or two extra points for you, sorry if you already know them;
1. You can do your practical on any boat. Including on your own, which is what I did.
2. You only need the survival course for Ocean Master or the commercial endoresement. to either Yachtmaster or Ocean Master.
3. Beware of charter. Your insurance may prohibit it or set ridiculous rates.
4. Many local jurisdictions have very strict rules as to who can charter and on what basis.
5. Charter rules usually require you to have a whole load of expensive extras that you would not normally have, eg a big liferaft, special cills/steps on doorways, a ridiculous number of life jackets of a type they approve of, mob equipment, and so on.
6. USA have been trying to force in their rules all over the caribbean including having an american ‘captain’ with their qualifications.
Sorry to be a pain. But be careful!
Cheers. Mike
Hi Mike
I am aware that I can take the test on ZTC if I opt to. As for chartering, as you might have gathered by now, I typically don’t rush into things without doing my research. Any commercial stuff is still a long way off. 🙂
Two 100’s and a 93 on the tests … impressive! What a beautiful view at your classroom resort! we’re sure you’ll do just fine on the rest of the tests.
BTW, we voted for Carl and we hope he wins! After all, we know what it’s like to want to win!
I too would love to see him win. He is pumped and I think he’d do a great job!
Congratulations. Have at least one beer for me in celebration.
Done!