USCG Certified Training Courses
USCG Certified Training Courses
We are an approved instructional company for the following USCG courses:
Our USCG approved Navigation Rules Course is a 24-hour (3-day) classroom course designed to educate vessel operators on the navigation rules and regulations as set forth and enforced on the U.S. navigable waterways. All vessel operators are responsible to adhere to these rules and regulations, and will be held accountable / liable should an accident take place. Our approved course adds basic information about Charts and Publications, Aids to Navigations and Electronic Navigation to provide vessel operators with the fundamentals of safe operating. See below for additional information.
The OUPV course is 56-hours of classroom instruction followed by 4-hours of examinations. 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 an USCG Approved Course. See below for additional information.
This 4.5-hour course is primarily intended for individuals who will be upgrading their license to meet the current USCG requirements for an Assistance Towing Endorsement. The course is of limited duration yet provides the comprehensive training required of an USCG Approved Course. See below for additional information.
USCG Navigation Rules and Regulations Course
As first responders, we understand many of the topics associated with the USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) course are unnecessary for our operations. As such, placing our personnel in a classroom for several days at a significant incurred cost is simply not feasible in today’s environment. Likewise, we understand that the USCG Rules of the Road course omits essential topics our first responders need to understand to safely operate a vessel within the regulations of our navigable waterways. Therefore, we have taken the USCG Rules of the Road course and added the content from the OUPV course that we feel assists our first responder community with necessary knowledge and skills to operate a vessel safely. The MERG Rules of the Road course is completed over three 8-hour days containing the following subjects / topics:
Navigation Rules and Regulations: 16-Hours
Commonly known as "Rules of the Road", this section covers both Inland and International rules of safe navigation as required by the USCG for licensing courses. Students will complete the USCG Navigation Rules exam at the end of the course. Students successfully completing the exam will be provided with a certificate, that when presented to the USCG within one-year will satisfy the training requirements of The Rules of the Road Examination requirements for original issuance or renewal of any deck credential up to Master 200 Gross Registered Tons, Master or Mate of Fishing Vessels, and Apprentice Mate (Steersman) if presented within one year of the completion of training; or receive 4 days sea service credit towards any deck license up to Master 200 gross register tons, or Master or Mate of Uninspected Fishing Industry Vessels.
Chart Information: 1-Hour
This section of the course provides an overview of the Charts and Publications used for safe navigation on our navigable waterways. We provide a baisc overview of the symbols and information contained on the Charts and within the Publications so vessel operators understand the meaning of the information on the chart.
Aids to Navigation: 1.5-Hours
There are many types of Aids to Navigation used on the U.S. navigable waterways. This section of the course looks at the buoys, lights, and markings of the U.S. buoyage system.
Electronic Navigation: 1-Hour
There are many types and brands of devices used for electronic navigation. We provide information on GPS, Radar, Chart Plotters and Depth Sounders so the vessel operartors understand the basic information each of these devices is displaying. This is not a Radar certification course.
Additional Information
In addition to the above times, we have 30 minutes allotted for the course introduction and paperwork, two rules of the road review tests, an interactive rules of the road exam prep session and time to complete the USCG sanctioned final exam; totaling 24-hours (3-days).
Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV)
The topics covered should serve as a valuable introduction for those who have the minimum required experience. The course is not designed for beginners or for those lacking the relevant sea-time for the USCG certification. Successful course completion requires a high level of motivation, discipline, and effort on the part of the student. 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. Further, the course covers the assessment of participants for various purposes such as admittance to courses, possible adjustments of teaching plans to suit entry qualifications, monitoring progress, USCG final examinations etc., and the issue of a USCG Approved course completion certificate upon successful completion.
See the USCG Captains Course Justification below for additional information.
Assistance Towing Endorsement Master/Mate 200 GRT Course
The course deals with the Safe Navigation of Vessels engaged in Assistance Towing, the practical application of Towing techniques for small vessels and towing equipment nomenclature and use. This is accomplished using conventional teaching and training methods, participate training techniques (such as task solving, both individually and in groups), exercises as well as the most common forms of teaching, e.g. lectures, audio-visual presentation, simulation, practical applications, and interactive computer reinforcement. Further, the course covers the assessment of participants, monitoring progress and Final examinations etc., and the issue of an USCG Approved course completion certificate where applicable.
This course is 4.5-hours of classroom instruction followed by a brief review and final exam.
USCG Captains Course Justification
This course is primarily for individuals 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 training uses electronic teaching and training methods (live lecture, PowerPoint, training videos, text, and quizzes), participant training techniques (task solving, 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 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 course promotes knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which the ideal operator should possess.
The course deals with the techniques of safe navigation and the responsibilities of an operator. This training uses electronic teaching and training methods (live lecture, PowerPoint, training videos, text, and quizzes), participant training techniques (task solving, 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 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 course promotes knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which the ideal operator should possess.
Skills relating to:
- Safe Navigation
- Basic Ship Handling
- Basic Seamanship
- Bridge Watch Standing
- Using the Rules of the Road
- Knowledge Survival, Fire Prevention, & Stability
Managerial skills and aptitudes relating to:
- Voyage Planning
- Organizing
- Identifying & Using Resources
- Leadership
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Professionalism