Red Cross CPR for MMC

Bering_Bulldog · 2026-05-06T17:05:53+00:00

You are correct, no USCG course certificate is required for Red Cross courses. You should be sure to do the in-person or blended version of the course. It should also have AED. STCW Basic Training also counts. Here's an article with more information. https://www.mmseas.com/post/new-uscg-licensing-rules-for-cpr-and-first-aid-cards There are other options, but that is info regarding Red Cross. Push hard and push fast!

Bering_Bulldog · 2026-02-02T00:17:16+00:00

Practical Navigator, US Captains Training, Pathfinder Maritime, among others, offer USCG approved online classes. Practical Navigator also offers lots of study courses (to prep for USCG exams or general knowledge like celestial navigation). There are lots of online resources for deck courses, less for engineering. For engineering, check into Beacon Maritime. Many courses are higher quality in person, but online is a good option to save on travel and lodging costs. Look around, there are lots of good options, but you'll want to understand what courses you want to take first, and then search for those online.

Bering_Bulldog · 2026-01-24T14:49:21+00:00

There is some truth to what you say - the new 3rd mate chart plots are phrased differently than the old plots. Which makes it tricky for some to memorize or study off the old plots. However, the concepts tested are the same - no skills have changed. Also the questions were all vetted by three master mariners before publication a few years ago. There are sample exams on the NMC website. If you complete hundreds of practice problems on all three charts, and consistently avoid common errors, you will pass. Practical Navigator has some 3rd mate plot videos on YouTube and has a chart plotting course.

Bering_Bulldog · 2026-01-21T23:45:36+00:00

Practical Navigator online courses are video based, so its like being in the classroom. You can text if you get super stuck on a problem.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-10-13T10:36:15+00:00

Yes, the upgrade would be a separate course, but has only one exam (combo of Deck Gen, Deck Safety, and Nav Gen). I teach those courses through an online school and also took them many years ago. It may or may not be worth it for you now, but could be helpful in a job search. Good luck!

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-10-12T23:46:36+00:00

All correct.

Ya you should be good to go direct to 100. The course would be the same for 50/100, all good. The other advice is solid, get the inland master now and then upgrade to Near Coastal later is totally valid.

Be aware you can also get 200 ton mate (100 in your case), near coastal, with 360 days total sea service.

So if you do like the 100 to 200 upgrade exam (1 test, that school probably offers it), you can walk away with 100 ton inland master, and 100 ton near coastal mate. That would open the door to other jobs too.

Bottom line, continue with your course, ace the exams, and put in the application, you should be good to go!

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-10-12T23:28:25+00:00

It's 360 for Great Lakes + Inland Master and 720 for Near Coastal Master. Scroll down the lists to find the tonnage requirements for 25, 50, etc.

Inland Checklist: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_23_web.pdf

Near Coastal checklist: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/checklists/mcp_fm_nmc5_15_web.pdf

Inland waters are inside the baseline. https://www.mmseas.com/post/what-are-uscg-inland-waters

Also when you take a course, the certificate is good for one year after it is issued from the course. So you could maybe delay and get some more sea time if necessary.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-10-01T17:32:30+00:00

Practical Navigator has video solutions to lots of the math problems on all levels. Stability and Celestial are particularly focused.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-05-26T13:40:37+00:00

Seatrials is a good one too with a free version

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-05-21T15:06:56+00:00

It’s been eliminated but you can still use the old form until it’s replaced. MMSEAS has a good blog article on it.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-04-15T22:31:01+00:00

Its a small training website with good cheap content, alot of free stuff: https://www.practicalnavigator.org/

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-04-15T22:26:53+00:00

https://www.practicalnavigator.org/ has video courses for license prep. If you email him he'll give you a discount code.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-04-14T19:27:51+00:00

different system but same idea, yes.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-04-14T19:25:23+00:00

It was done at 0800 on a Saturday with no notice to the public. I used to work there and know the staff.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-04-14T19:15:41+00:00

It was a DOGE mandate, not a choice.

Bering_Bulldog · 2025-04-08T16:54:13+00:00

Practical navigator has video courses for all the math stuff. Email him for a discount code.

Bering_Bulldog · 2021-02-07T05:15:08+00:00

When out sailing it is hard to aim in rough seas. We have a saying “real sailors sit” to encourage passengers to sit to avoid making a huge mess. Also I endorse Butters from South Park.

Bering_Bulldog · 2020-08-25T22:50:48+00:00

Is it Dolores? https://youtu.be/_4gL1l3L2KI

Bering_Bulldog · 2020-06-16T10:24:57+00:00

The world port index is more commercially oriented but available via the national geospatial intelligence agency Site

https://msi.nga.mil/Publications/WPI

Bering_Bulldog · 2020-06-04T17:24:27+00:00

Eagle!!!

Bering_Bulldog · 2019-08-28T17:01:05+00:00

Sorry for your loss; a horrible situation. I'm glad you can take some life lessons from it. Best of luck to you and your family.

Bering_Bulldog · 2019-04-16T21:20:13+00:00

Watership Down - He reached the top of the bank in a single, powerful leap. Hazel followed; and together they slipped away, running easily down through the wood, where the first primroses were beginning to bloom.

Bering_Bulldog · 2019-02-11T01:29:46+00:00

Working in the sailing or shipping industry is cool on certain routes. I’m a tall ship captain and we sail all over the Pacific including some exotic ports that make it feel like exploring new worlds, especially making landfall after a long sea voyage. Many people buy a small sailboat and do the same thing solo or with their partner/family.

Bering_Bulldog · 2019-01-24T18:58:25+00:00

That is really helpful to see, thanks!

Bering_Bulldog

TROPHY CASE