First, I do hold a license, not a 25ton Near Coastal, but much higher. I do
not have an AB. I have used my license as a working captain in a number of
different capacities. I now just cruise and liveaboard most of the time. It's
been 4 renewals, and I don't remember fully the entire exam, and I am not
referring to ****ing into a cup or having a background check. In any case,
most of what I remember was indeed multiple choice, even the navigation part.
Yes you had to use dividers, etc., but even then I think you were offered
several possible solutions from which to choose. Then when Neal suggests you
have to:

tie a bowline knot

I'm not sure he ever took the test. You might have been shown pictures of
several knots, and asked to pick out which one was the bowline. Of course I'm
certain that proves you know how to tie one!

For those of you that are not familiar with the testing methods used by the
USCG to determine the competency of any potential new captain, most all of the
exam is OPEN BOOK ! Only the rules section is closed book.

Again, it can be said that holding a captain's license is no proof of anything
more than book learning and the ability to memorize. Most certainly not a sign
of knowledge, experience or ability to sail and handle a boat! Poor Neal,

What a sad little failure of a man you must
be - one only able to get his rocks off

by playing Captain Wannabe!