Coast Guard six pack

[blakeb]

Whats the low down on this test, i have tried to google it and came up a little short.

My questions are, is it a class that you have to go through?

How much does it cost, where is it located?

Has anyone gone thru it already, any in-sight or advice?

[krinkle]

There is a class. I think it was about 40 hours. You can also take the class on line but have heard from guys that started this and ended up going to the class.

How much does it cost? $600 to $800 for the class. Took mine in St Paul. Had about $1800 invested in getting my six pack license and about 150 hrs in time.

[blakeb]

thanks krinkle,

does it expire? do you have a web address?

[DTro]

Do a search for:

CAPTAIN RON MURPHY

U.S.C.G.MASTER CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR/EXAMINER

I think he has classes in Duluth

[blakeb]

thanks dtro

[Chris Haley]

They expire every five years.

Now for anybody that thinks inland guides should go through the course. Check out these sample test questions and tell me I need this in the Bemidji area.

U.S.C.G. License Exam Questions

[fasternu]

There is a ton of stuff I had to learn in my college classes that will never apply to me either. But, you go through it even if you don't like it if that is what you want to do, otherwise you change professions. If you want to be a guide , that is just what you are going to have to do, otherwise you can get another type of job.

[blakeb]

i agree some pretty ridiculous question for an inland guide, tho i have heard they are going to modify the test to accommodated inland captains.

[Steve Foss]

Now for anybody that thinks inland guides should go through the course. Check out these sample test questions and tell me I need this in the Bemidji area.

I'm with you on that, Chris.

If they don't establish something far less expensive and much more targeted to inland waters, I'll gladly leave the open water guiding behind and focus exclusively on hard water. We'll see how it goes as winter ages and spring approaches. I'm really curious to see what might develop.

[Kyhl]

Agreed. I'm surprised anyone would not agree.

IMO it is the stupidest major power grab of the century and should be repealed effective immediately.

Instead we discuss ways to amend it. Boggles my mind.

Repeal it and give the power back to the states.

[DTro]

Agreed. I'm surprised anyone would not agree.

IMO it is the stupidest major power grab of the century and should be repealed effective immediately.

Instead we discuss ways to amend it. Boggles my mind.

Repeal it and give the power back to the states.

+1

[harvey lee]

It's crazy to ask inland guides to have this license. I do not see why they would need one and the added cost is nuts for a small business.

But, I guess that's how our Gov operates unless we complain loud enough.

[blakeb]

but what would we do if we encountered mines in the water?

dont you think that knowledge of ship construction is vital to safety on the water.

and dont even get me started on the importance of tidal effects on our river systems.

jk, who do we email to complain?

[Steve Foss]

who do we email to complain?

Your state reps so they can complain to the feds. Your congressmen/women so they can attempt to exert some influence with the C.G.

Up here along the border, I believe the C.G. has overstepped its bounds, but has done so because of security concerns as part of the overall Homeland Security thing in the wake of 9-11.

Oberstar got something passed and signed last year regarding reduced requirements before he was ousted in the election, but I can't remember the details.

[Steve Foss]

This is what I found. I believe Obama did sign this into law.

Quote:

Washington DC – October 3, 2010 --- A bill waiting to be signed into law by President Obama contains an important provision that will cut red tape for Minnesota fishing guides. Under current law, any boat operator who obtains a U.S. Coast Guard certification to transport passengers must obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC). To obtain the card, guides are required to pay a $132 application fee and make two trips to a Coast Guard licensing center. That has caused unnecessary paperwork and expense for many fishing guides.

“The TWIC is meant to secure our ports by identifying those who should have access to secure maritime facilities and vessels,” said Congressman Jim Oberstar. “It was never intended to regulate a fishing guide taking out a customer in his 16 foot Lund.”

Oberstar is the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the chief author of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act which authorizes all of the key operations of the agency. He included language in the bill that will exempt fishing guides and other small boat operators from the TWIC requirement.

Earlier this year, Oberstar worked with Coast Guard officials to redesign the licensing requirements for Minnesota fishing guides and small boat operators. This will include a more relevant test that will focus on safety issues germane to fishing guides and small boat operators. The Coast Guard has also agreed to limit discretionary enforcement and conduct outreach to local businesses and industry groups.

“People have the right to know that the fishing guide they hire is qualified to operate a boat safely and is able to respond to an emergency,” said Oberstar. “But the certification process has to be relevant to the waters where the boat is operating on and it can’t be unduly burdensome to the small business owner who is trying to comply with the law. I want to make sure the Coast Guard uses good judgment and common sense when it enforces the law.”

[Chris Haley]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chris Haley]

In one of those questions there was one that said a boat with a burning oil drum on it's bow is in distress. I agree!!! If I saw another fisherman on Winni with a burning barrel on the bow of his boat boat. I would head staight over there and help him kick that burning barrel off his boat. Come on! That's a no-brainer!

[Steve Foss]

Well, Oberstar is gone, so he's not there on that committee to bird dog the C.G. Who knows just what might happen now with a smarter/cheaper testing process?

[Tom Buckles]

This thread is awesome! I feel all of your pain. I am a submarine officer in the Navy and have to take these stupid tests all the time. 90% of these test questions are totally irrelavent for inland lakes in the midwest. However, the other 10% of the questions could be relevant to the general boating public.

[PierBridge]

i agree some pretty ridiculous question for an inland guide, tho i have heard they are going to modify the test to accommodated inland captains.

Yeah, when Guides from another Web-site turned in the Griz for guiding with-out the 6-pack license it really brought attention to the whole fiasco with Dennis Anderson and Oberstar amongst others getting involved. So there is a chance the test could be modified with some common sense changes.

Go Griz!

[Chris Haley]

First off Mr. Buckles! Thank You for serving!!!

I also agree that a system to license guides would be awesome. Just make one that is relevant to the area you are guiding in.

[PierBridge]

How many green lights on a Mine Sweeper?????

[Tom Buckles]

Thankyou Chris. I totally agree with the relevance of the exam.

I think its funny that the USCG wants guides to take a "rules of the road" exam. Most guides and avid fishermen have been operating watercraft safely for much of their lives. What about all the new boaters that have no idea what is going on. They are the ones that should be tested. The test should be simple and not a burden. It should focus on relevant topics such as safety equipment, "right of way" situations, safe operating speeds, reduced visibility operations (fog / dark), and basic stuff like what is the difference between a red and green running light. Who cares about the light configuration for a vessel not under command? I dont even care about that stupid stuff and I drive 400 foot submarines for a living.

[blakeb]

i agree, any one with the money can buy a 60+ mph speedboat fill there cooler with beer get eight people on board and cruise the st.croix at top speed, with no knowledge what-so-ever. but if your going to go fishing for money its a whole other story

[blakeb]

As i understand the law is for paid guides right?

lets say i take you out fishing free of charge, just got to buy a three hundred dollar rapala at the end of the day, would that work?

[Chris Haley]

Tom

I will tell you if I'm on one of my favorite spots and you and your vessal pop up. I have no problem giving you the right away!!

[Alagnak]

Yeah that will work- if your purpose is to screw over every legal guide trying to make a buck. You can also hire plumbers, electricians, etc without proper licenses and training too.

Information on this topic does seem to have all but disappeared. Did they ever put a deadline on when everyone must be licensed, or is it just up in the air until they figure out if they are going to redo the requirements specific to MN waters???

As i understand the law is for paid guides right?

lets say i take you out fishing free of charge, just got to buy a three hundred dollar rapala at the end of the day, would that work?

[blakeb]

never looked at it like that alganak, good point.

And to answer the question, the way i understand it there never was a deadline, it was an old rule that was overlooked for years ad now being enforced.

[Chris Haley]

It's more along the lines of requiring my local residential electrician to have the same credientials as an electrical engineer at a nuclear power plant.

Way over kill!!

[krinkle]

Now if they threw in some basic business class,s and information on how to set prices for ones services the CG license would be fantastic. Limit the competition for guide trips and educate the ones that are sticking with it to set a fair price.

The tougher the requirements are for a occupation the better the wages usually are. Sounds good to me so far. But as with many trades guys have no idea how to set a fair price for their services. There was guys in my class that still seemed to think charging $200 to $250 a day for guide services was good money. Get a clue, this barely cover expenses.

Most businessmen I know would consider something like this CG license a little bump in the road. Its easy to get. A little pricey but that can easily made up for with a increase in pricing. The best part is it should limit some competition on the water which should mean more work and better paying work. That is if the guys continuing to guide get there heads out of there buts and set their rates to meet their expenses and needs.