To renew your OUPV/Master Deck License you must be able to show 360 days (one year) of service during the past five years. The service must be verified by completing the USCG Sea Service form or by providing a letter from a vessel owner/company verifying your sea service. Many license holders find themselves nearing renewal but for various reasons cannot meet the Coast Guards one year service requirement.

The Coast Guard does allow the licensee to take and pass a comprehensive open-book exam in lieu of showing the qualifying service. The open-book exam is mailed out by the Coast Guard to the individual and then upon completion they mail it back to the Coast Guard for their review. The Coast Guard cost for taking this open book exam is $45.00. The problem many have with the open-book exam is that they do not possess or have access to the myriad of publications and reference materials necessary to pass the exam.

An alternative to meeting the one year service requirement is to take the Mariners Learning System™ License Renewal Course.

License Renewal requirements include:

Upon completion of the course, there is a proctored exam after which a Certificate of Completion will be issued. This certificate is mailed to the Coast Guard along with your application. The Coast Guard will accept this certificate in lieu off meeting the time requirement.



1.0 Scope

Mariners Learning System™ Deck License Renewal training course is an instructional resource that combines broadcast quality audio visual media, workbooks and computer based training. Any student that completes the course receives a certificate the Coast Guard will accept in lieu of meeting their 360 day time on the water requirement. Mariners Learning System™ is approved by the Coast Guard (under CFR 10.209) to teach an online Renewal/Refresher Course for Deck Licenses. The course thoroughly covers the subjects addressed by Coast Guard exams for the following licenses:

The course thoroughly covers the subjects addressed by Coast Guard exams for the following licenses: OUPV Inland/Near Coastal (Six pack/Charter boat Captain License)

2.0 Objective

The goal is to enhance safety and productivity in the maritime working environment by instilling the knowledge and skills reflected in the Coast Guard exam topic table. Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate that will be accepted in lieu of the standard Coast Guard examination!

3.0 Entry Standards

Students must be able to speak English.

4.0 Instructors

The program has been built so that a student can directly contact one of our USCG approved staff instructors via e-mail. In addition complete telephone support is available through a toll free support system that is manned by our Coast Guard approved staff instructors.

5.0 Testing

Once the student completes the course quizzes and online Module Exam they make an appointment to take their final proctored exam with Mariners Learning System™. No testing at the Coast Guard Regional Exam Centers. The grading standards are:

Exam Modules Number of Questions Minimum Score Required

Number of Questions a student
can get wrong and still pass 
Rules of the Road 20 90% 2 wrong
Navigation General 10 70% 3 wrong


The student must pass all modules to receive a certification of completion. If a student fails one or more modules, he or she may retest twice more without delay on the failed modules. Those who do not pass an exam module after three attempts must wait a period of three months to retest. The student will be required to complete the entire course prior to being allowed another three attempts at each module. In this case the student must retest and pass all four Exam Modules.


1.0 Course Materials

Mariners Learning System™includes one complete set of the following training materials to each student:

Mariners Learning System™ –Access to our Internet based narrated lecture and interactive learning system. This program is based on the Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved OUPV class room course. More than 15,000 students have earned their Captains License by participating in this program.

 

Mariners Learning System™ – Textbook: Rules of the Road.



1.0 Lesson Plan

Module I - Navigation Rules of the Road

 

Module II - Deck Safety

 

Module III - Deck General



Frequently Asked Questions

 

Will I Have to Take a Coast Guard Exam?

NO. If you test with the USCG, they literally have thousands of questions in their data base from which to draw a test. Mariners Learning System™ uses a few hundred questions from their data base. All questions are provided in the student workbook and study guide. All topic areas are fully covered to ensure a complete understanding of the relevant material.

 

How Do I Get My License?

Upon successful completion any of the Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved online courses, you take a proctored exam (no additional fee) at one of our 200+ approved testing sites located throughtout the country. Once you have passed our multiple-choice exam, a certificate of completion that is recognized by the United States Coast Guard will be issued in lieu of taking their exam. You do not test at the Coast Guard Regional Exam Center.

 

Is There a Retest Policy?

Yes. The test is given in four sections. If you do not meet the minimum score requirements on any section, you only need to retest the section(s) where your score was below the minimum. You can retest after a review of the material on which you were lacking the necessary knowledge. Is there a guarantee that a student will pass the course? No. However, Mariners Learning System™ instructors are all trained professionals who work closely with every student.

 

Is there anything I have to do besides taking the Mariners Learning System™ USCG-approved course to receive my license?

Yes. There are several USCG requirements. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Application Form: Complete the required sections for an original license. Three character references must be included. The application, once received by the USCG, is valid for one year.

Physical Exam Form: This form must be completed in full. An incomplete form will delay your application. Failure to meet vision, hearing or general physical condition requirements does not automatically disqualify an applicant.

Drug Test: All applicants must be certified "drug free" (marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP, and amphetamines) by having passed a DOT drug test or submitting a letter that the applicant is currently enrolled in a USCG random drug testing program.

Sea Service Form: Applicants must tabulate their experience operating vessels on the Sea Service Form. If necessary, use added copies to account for service on more than four vessels. One day of service consists of a minimum of four hours underway, not dockside. You may only claim one day in a 24-hour period.

Documentation of Sea Service: If sea time is documented on your own vessel, use state registration, documentation certificate, bill of sale or insurance papers. Service on vessels other than your own must be supported by the vessel owner filling out a Sea Service Form.

Proof of Age and Citizenship: Must be verified by one of the following:

CPR/First Aid Card(s): A certificate from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association courses. First Aid: Less than one year old. CPR: Currently valid, but no more than two years old.

 

When do I have to renew my credential(s)?

All U.S. OUPV/Six-Pack/25-50 or100 licenses are valid for service for five years from the issue date and no longer. You renew your credential(s) up to 12 months prior to expiration.

 

What if I have more than one credential to renew?

You may renew all credentials at the same time as long as at least one of the credentials is within 12 months of expiring. In such situations, you are encouraged to renew all credentials together to get them in sync.

 

What is the grace period?

You may renew your credential during the Period of Grace (no more than 12 months beyond the five-year expiration date), but you can NOT operate under the authority of your credential during this Grace Period. Once your credential has expired, it is no longer valid and you can not work on it.

 

What if my credential has expired beyond the grace period?

If your credential has expired beyond the grace period, then you will have to meet the full requirements of the original credential, except recency of service. This also means you will have to take the full examination if required for the credential or attend a course approved by the CG specifically for this purpose.

 

What is a Continuity Renewal?

This option allows you to renew your credential without meeting any of the renewal requirements, except for completing an application and paying the user fees. If you choose to renew a credential for continuity purposes only, then you can NOT work under the authority of that credential. If your credential has expired beyond the one year grace period, then you are ineligible for the continuity renewal option.

 

When would renewal of my credential(s) not be granted?

Your credential will not be renewed if it has been revoked or surrendered without probation. In addition, your credential will not be renewed if facts come to the attention of the Coast Guard that would render a renewal improper or you do not meet all of the requirements for renewal.

 

Where can I renew my credential(s)?

You may apply for renewal at any of the 17 Coast Guard Regional Examination Centers (REC’s). You must satisfy requirements for renewal including the completion of an application form and payment of user fees.

 

Can I renew my credential by mail?

You may renew by mail by submitting all of the required paperwork and fees to one of the REC’s. Please ensure that all supporting paperwork is original documents or certified copies (certified by the agency that issued the original credential.) However, you will have to appear at an REC for ID verification and fingerprinting.

 

What are the requirements to renew my license?

 This chart lists the professional requirements for renewal. In some cases, there is more than one way to meet the requirements.

 

ITEM(S) TO BE RENEWED: PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • OUPV/Six-Pack

  • 25/50/100 Ton Master
  • One year (360 days) of sea service during the past five years, OR

  • Complete Mariners Learning System™ Coast Guard approved refresher training course, OR

  • Pass a comprehensive, open-book exercise 1, OR

  • Three years of employment in a marine-related position. 2
Notes:
  1. If you choose to take the open-book exercise, contact your local REC for test materials.

  2. Evaluation of marine related employment is on a case by case basis. To qualify, you must have been in a position closely related to the operation, construction, or repair of vessels (either deck or engineer as appropriate). If you hold a deck license and seek this option, then you must also complete the Rules of the Road portion of the open-book exercise.

 

 

System Requirements

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With Mariners Learning System™ your online classroom, training videos, audio lectures, and podcasts aren’t just available on your computer. They are also on your Blackberry, iPhone, Mp4 player, and Smartphone. So wherever you go – even if you’re just sitting in traffic - we offer you a true Anytime, Anywhere Learning Solution!