6PAC
For what it's worth...here's MY take on the 6PAC license. There are just
two reasons to get one: 1)ego and 2)needing that 1st step to move on up to the
next phase. I was talked into going to sea school for my 6PAC by a captain I
had used at one time. IT was grueling! Three hours every night at dinner time,
out of town, for 4 nights. A tremendous amount of information to learn and
digest in that short time...too much for my old brain!
All but two of us
in a large class were, like me...going for the ego part. The rest were all
younger people going on for another license to be charter fishermen or to
operate tourboats or ferries. Commercial type things.
Repeatedly we asked
how being licensed would effect our 'responsibility' and our insurance for
instance. We COULD NOT GET an answer from our instructors!!! That tells me
that there IS NO CLEARCUT ANSWER! I do not think anyone really knows the
answer to the questions about guests 'bearing gifts' of any kind!
I ended
up NOT taking the exam. I realized having such a license would do me no real
good. There are other things to consider as well like having to take random
drug tests ...not that I have ever 'done drugs' but it is a PITA to go have
this done. Then too, you must keep renewing it. My final reason was that I am
a poor 'tester' when it comes to multiple choice questions, especially
government designed ones. I opted to not subject myself to the stress and have
never missed not having the license one bit. I still got hailed as 'Captain'
though being a woman, Gordon got more of that than I did though it was MY
boat!
I will say that the subject matter covered in the course is
invaluable! Also more than many of us will use. 'Nuff said on the subject!!!
Marge Griffith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Margery Griffith" grandsturdy410@yahoo.com
I ended up NOT taking the exam. I realized having such a license would do
me no real
good. There are other things to consider as well like having to take
random
drug tests ...not that I have ever 'done drugs' but it is a PITA to go
have
this done. Then too, you must keep renewing it.
REPLY
Does anyone know how having a Six Pac relates to the TWICS card
requirement?
I know some people must have a TWICS card in order to get into the port
owned marina facility they keep their boat in.. At one point there was
mention of revoking the USCG licence if you did not apply for a TWICS.
Has this requirement been defined better to accomodate Six Pac holders?
My buddy who drives long haul trucks serves several ports like Tacoma WA ,
Long Beach CA and Port Elizabeth in NJ. He must have a TWICS card in
order to enter the port facility and deliver his cargo. Plus he is subject
to random drug testing. All of which is demanded as part of Homeland
Security measures. The point being these permits, licences etc. as
required by USCG, HSD and what have you, impose some considerable expense
in order to meet their criteria. Non of which is necessarily applicable to
recreational boating.
Arild
just being curious
It is my understanding that the new cards will be required for ALL license
renewals. Chuck
To follow our adventures, go to
http://trawler-beach-house.blogspot.com/
--- On Fri, 2/13/09, 2elnav@netbistro.com 2elnav@netbistro.com wrote:
Does anyone know how having a Six Pac relates to the TWICS card
requirement?
-----Original Message-----
Does anyone know how having a Six Pac relates to the TWICS card
requirement?
I know some people must have a TWICS card in order to get into the port
owned marina facility they keep their boat in.. At one point there was
mention of revoking the USCG licence if you did not apply for a TWICS.
Has this requirement been defined better to accomodate Six Pac holders?
Hi Arild,
For purposes of the TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) regulations, the
USCG makes no difference between six pack holders, holders of higher class licenses, or holders
of MMDs. All licensed mariners are required to have a TWIC by April 15th of this year. That date
is an extension from the earlier 2008 dates that proved impossible to meet.
Any credentialed mariner, including all six pack holders, who do not have a valid TWIC by April
15th, are in violation, and are subject to suspension or revocation of their license if/when
caught. You can find more information at http://www.uscg.mil/NMC/Whats_new_to_NMC/twic_card.pdf
As far as requiring a TWIC for marina access, the Coast Guard has said:
"For private marinas and pleasure boat operators who do not carry passengers
or cargo for hire, the impact of this rule is expected to be minimal.
Nationwide, there are approximately 150 marinas identified as meeting
the applicability standard in the security regulations and, of those,
there are fewer than 45 that need to have a Facility Security Plan (FSP) on
file with the Coast Guard."
You can find the full story on that at
http://www.uscgboating.org/articles/boatingview.aspx?id=107
Kevin
www.BoatMoves.com
From the notice I got, if you do not have a TWIC by April 15th then
you will no longer have a CG license period. Nothing about being
caught, it just goes away.
Eventually the CG license and the TWICs will be merged into the same
license card doing away with the frameable certificate
Greg and Susan Han
Allegria -- Krogen Whaleback #16
I got classed for my insurance with an Elite Mariner discount. I do
not know if it was the license or the hours I have logged but it did
drop my fees about 10%. Also if you are going out of the normal
cruising routes it makes getting coverage easier.
Again an extensive cruising log could do the same but the 100 tom
Masters serves as instant verification of a certain level of knowledge
or at least having been exposed to the material needed to pass the
test.
Greg and Susan Han
Allegria -- Krogen Whaleback #16
how being licensed would effect our 'responsibility' and our insurance for
instance. We COULD NOT GET an answer from our instructors!!! That tells me
that there IS NO CLEARCUT ANSWER! I do not think anyone really knows the
answer to the questions about guests 'bearing gifts' of any kind!
Hi All-
I do have a short story about getting a captain's license.
Met a fellow who was a great person to know, but he was partially color blind; as I remember it, unable to distinquish red. The fellow teaching the class guaranteed him that he knew a doctor that could help.
When asked how he past the physical, he said it was easy; the doctor held up a ketchup bottle and asked what color he saw.
At least he claims this happened.
Rudy
Briney Bug, Port St Joe, Fl
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregory Han"
I got classed for my insurance with an Elite Mariner discount. I do
not know if it was the license or the hours I have logged but it did
drop my fees about 10%. Also if you are going out of the normal
cruising routes it makes getting coverage easier.
REPLY
So that begs the question.
Does the 10% discount exceed the cost of getting and maintaining the
required TWICS and USCG issued certificate?
If it's just a break even proposition, why bother since you also have a
certain amount of aggrevation involved.
Arild
Rudy wrote:
Met a fellow who was a great person to know, but he was partially color
blind; as I remember it, unable to distinquish red. The fellow teaching the
class guaranteed him that he knew a doctor that could help.
When asked how he past the physical, he said it was easy; the doctor held up
a ketchup bottle and asked what color he saw.
At least he claims this happened.
Reply:
This is a serious issue for a lot of us who are color weak. Note that we do
not refer to it as color "blind." <g> I had the problem getting my regular
doctor to sign off on my application. The problem is that most family
practice docs apply the hardest test to pass because they are looking for
any signs of weakness. The Ishihara Plates which are the well known circles
of color bubbles that contain hidden numbers are a nightmare for me. I have
known that since I was a kid. Fortunately, the USCG application lists
several other exams that are acceptable. A little googling helped me
identify easier tests. There are a couple of airline pilot websites
dedicated to the subject. The hardest part once you find the right test is
finding someone who has it and will administer it. This took a lot of phone
calls and shoe leather before I found an eye doctor who had one of the older
tests. Once I explained my dilemma, he gave me the test, passed me, signed
my application and sent me out the door without charging me 1 cent. He is
now my regular ophthalmologist! A very nice guy with high tech office
equipment other than that color test.
See you out there.
Eric Thoman
Abyssinia
I just applied for the TWIC. It took 15 min at the office plus 30
minutes travel. It will expire with my MMC certificate and both will
be renewed together. Not much hassle. I probably have < $1000 in
total class costs and fees. I will save a recurring $400 per year. Not
a bad return on investment.
Obviously cost savings in not the only benefit. I have that pretty
certificate on the wall to show off to friends. And a head stuffed
with more info like the lights that shrimpers show when fishing (don't
ask me to name them) . As the diamond folks say --- Priceless.
Greg and Susan Han
Allegria -- Krogen Whaleback #16
On Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 7:44 PM, 2elnav@netbistro.com wrote:
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gregory Han"
I got classed for my insurance with an Elite Mariner discount. I do
not know if it was the license or the hours I have logged but it did
drop my fees about 10%. Also if you are going out of the normal
cruising routes it makes getting coverage easier.
REPLY
So that begs the question.
Does the 10% discount exceed the cost of getting and maintaining the
required TWICS and USCG issued certificate?
If it's just a break even proposition, why bother since you also have a
certain amount of aggrevation involved.
Arild