USMA Chicago

Q. What’s the difference between a USCG Approved Course, such as USMA Chicago and a Prep School Course?

A. USMA Chicago has been approved and authorized by the National Maritime Center/USCG to teach the subjects and administer the appropriate tests required by the Coast Guard for a OUPV and Masters license.  While a Prep School may teach similar course material it is NOT authorized to administer the required examinations and the student MUST travel to the USCG Regional Exam Center (REC) to take the test.  The closest REC to Chicago is Toledo Ohio or St. Louis Missouri.

 

Q. How difficult are the examinations at the REC?

A. The USCG has literally thousands of test questions in their database to select from in order to develop their test.  USMA Chicago uses text books, workbooks and lectures to thoroughly cover the subject matter and develops it’s test using  a couple of hundred questions from  the Coast Guard database.  The questions on the USMA Chicago examinations can be successfully answered by understanding the material presented in the lectures, reading the text and doing the homework.

 

Q. What is the licensing process with USMA Chicago?

A. After successfully completing the course work and passing the exams, you will receive a Certification of Completion to include in your paperwork to the USCG.   USMA Chicago will assist you in completing the sometimes confusing documents, so that you can be confident when submitting your packet to the USCG for evaluation, that it is in good order.

 

Q. What does the USCG packet of paperwork consist of?

A.  In addition to the Certificate of Completion you will receive from  the USMA course, the Coast Guard requires a completed Application  (provided by USMA); proper evidence of Citizenship; an original Social Security Card (USMA will explain to you how to obtain); a Physical Exam within the last 12 months; a Drug Screen within the last 6 months; completion of a 1st Aid and CPR course (USMA Instructors are certified to teach); and documentation of your Sea Service Time (form provided by USMA).

The entire process is covered during the class and USMA Instructors are available to answer questions and review  your papers for completeness on an individual basis as needed.

 

Q. What subjects are covered?

A. We start off with Charting and Plotting since we believe you must always “know where you are” From there we move into Navigation General, and then on to the Navigation Rules of the Road.  USCG requires knowledge and understanding of both the Inland and International rules. Lastly we cover many topics under the heading of Deck General and Safety.

 

Q. How long is the course?

A. USMA’s philosophy is to provide the foundation for a lifetime of maritime learning. Therefore we do not believe in crash-cram for exam courses where you learn just enough to pass the exam. We take our time and conduct classes 3x a week for 8 weeks, thereby giving the student an opportunity to read and understand the subject matter, ask questions and absorb the information provided in the lectures.

We won’t kid you! There is a time commitment involved. For every hour you spend in the classroom, plan on spending at least another hour outside of class reading or doing homework assignments. USMA considers its training a college-level maritime education course.

 

Q. What if I don’t pass the examinations?

A.  Our dedication to the learning process  and the amount of time we spend with our students both in and out of the classroom answering questions and assisting with homework has proven to be overwhelmingly successful for the vast majority. However, there is the occasion when a student does not do as well as he or she should on the examinations. In that case our position has been to work with the student until they do pass the exam (you get 3 opportunities to pass each exam) or the student may elect to re-take the entire course at no additional charge.

 

Q.  What if I miss a class?

A.  We understand that business or personal commitments sometimes interferes with your attending class.  Therefore you are allowed to miss 3 classes before you need to make up the time.   We will make arrangements convenient to both parties so that you are able to make up the missed classes.

 

Q. What jobs are available to a licensed captain?

A.  This answer largely depends on your status in life and your plans for the future.  There are jobs as Harbor Tender Operators, River and Lake Tour Boat Captains, Charter Fishing, Sailboat Charters and Delivery Captains.

 

The USCG requires a Captains license for anyone taking out passengers for “compensation”.  A OUPV (6 pack) license is for 6 or less passengers on an un-inspected vessel.  A Masters license is required for 6 passengers or more.

 

Q.  Where do your classes take place?

A. The Columbia Yacht Club located at the foot of Randolph and the lakefront, it is the large red, white and blue ship moored at the lake front between the Chicago River and Monroe Harbor.  

 

Columbia Yacht Club has an active and ongoing Marine Education Program and has graciously offered us an opportunity to participate. What better venue could there be than a ship for Captain’s Classes.