"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 19 Sep 2005 00:54:29 GMT, otnmbrd
wrote

Much of this points up my problems with the USCG having total control of
licensing/documentation of licenses.


Don't be too hard on the USCG... your complaints are systemic to ALL
licensure done by the Federal Government.

BG Don't get me wrong, I get along well with the CG, but the system needs
review and I think, basic revision.


Although we work in the same "medium", how we go about it and what we
have to know can be, and frequently is, two different animals.

The process of documenting ones time is open to much creativity in the
smaller (SixPac -25ton) grades, that I must agree, can be and always
will be subject to some disgression.

This is an issue of ownership.... not tied directly to the 25 ton
license. Any *owner,* if prone to dishonesty, can "document" all sorts
of time on the company vessel.

Here you have different tonnage vessels requiring different paperwork, but
for some this is indeed true.




This doesn't really work any better. In aviation, an applicant for a
license must take a written test, an oral test, and a practical
test... and doofuses still pass through the system.... mostly those
with "experience" and no formal training. FAA, FCC, USCG, and other
use the same format in various ways. As for your example, I suspect
that the seaman who had trouble with the multiple guess format would
be even more challenged in writing an essay.

What are the qualifications of the FAA tester?
You will always get some "doofi" who will pass through.
The old system used question cards that were corrected by the tester on the
spot. The tester had the option to send someone back to rethink or give
extra questions to cover the issue ..... time was not the issue.
Although many people who have problems with test, may also have problems
with an essay or oral type exam, an examiner who is "up" on the subject can
frequently get a better read on how well the person knows the subject when
it is written or oral.
Some subjects/questions can be multiple choice, but many need to be "essay".
It's not a simple issue, but my feeling is it should be addressed ......
BG Oh well, I'm off to Hyannis for my one week of good food and relaxation
..... Standby "Black Cat".

otn