Joe, USMM Master bates about the Coast Guard test:

Multiple choice?

Wrong.. It is not all multiple choice. Who told you that? It is
odvious you know nothing about USCG testing.

What, was there an essay question?


About nobody checking the forms people fill out he again bates:

Wrong again.

You may fill out your sea time form and attest to your "days at sea" by simply
stating that you have done so on your own vessel. If you don't own a boat, or
have really never been to sea, you might have a friend who does own a boat sign
the form for you. You might fill out the form stating that you have been out
sailing in international waters rather than sitting at your mooring in the
mangroves, and thus becoming eligible for a "Near Coastal" instead of an
"Inland Waters" ticket. The USCG just takes your word for it. They don't have
the time to check it out, and they have better things to do. In fact I believe
Neal made just that suggestion a few years back in one of his boastings.

As far as everyboady passing the test, he bates some mo

What an idiot, close to 12% fail the test.

The first time perhaps, but just look at the advertisements of the various
schools, all of them guarantee you will pass. Today you don't even have to go
to an exam center, the schools administer the test themselves, and they make
certain that everyone that has paid their fees will eventually pass. How many
times did you take it?

And finally, where you can get sea time from, he cums out with:

Riding on a fairy dont count, even if it is your 25+gt boyfriend

Riding on any vessel counts, even a passenger ship or a ferry, if you can get
the captain to sign your papers. Its all time at sea.

I think the point that was being made is that holding a ticket, particularly a
25 ton ticket is absolutely meaningless, and nothing worth bragging about. It
shows only the ability to memorize, not that you ever had, or ever will have,
any sailing ability.