How to be a young master mariner?

Question

this question simply 4 mariner only

Answer 1

You need to work through the U.S. Merchant Marines to get your masters certificate. I would recommend purchasing a copy of the U.S. Coast Guards Navigation rules for Inland and International Waters... Learn the sound signals, the various flags, the rules for safe navigation... It will take you some time to simply get through this. Then you will have to start off on some ship as the 3rd Mate and then work to being a 2nd Mate and then a 1st Mate... and finally a Master.

There is A LOT that goes into being the master of a ship. You must learn the engineering side of the boat, know damage control procedures, know how to pilot in coastal and restricted waters, know how to get the ship to a pier with and without tugs, know the rules of the road as they apply to navigating in open waters and in traffic seperation schemes...

It takes time to get this down. You'd be amazed how quickly a dangerous situation can come up at 2 a.m. in the middle of the Atlantic. I was on the bridge of a ship about 2 years ago and had let my mind wonder... I wasn't watching the radar... and the next thing I know i'm almost being run down by a commercial oiler... Very bad news...

Good Luck to you. Being a Mariner is a tough job.

Answer 2

if you want a slightly less rigorous path to commanding small boats, as opposed to the big ships the previous poster drives, the details are at the Sea School web site.....with a years experience you can get a Captain's license for boats carrying 6 or less passengers; with that license and another years experience up to 100 ton boats carrying up to 147 passengers.

So you need experience, i.e. sea time....so start walking the docks and taking introductory low level jobs  and build up your time and knowledge...

Answer 3

Master mariner?   Both captain and chief engineer?   Unlimited tonnage, or on smaller boats?   That's a tough one, especially with all the new regulations from coast guard.   Begin at a maritime school and take classes for both paths.   Get your license for one, and on your off time work towards license on the other path.   Good luck!   I'm still working on deck.