Olivia
Member
- May 16, 2008
- 346
- 0
- 16
Like a maritime academy? I want to be one in the future. What classes should I take?
Do you have to go to college to be a cruise captain?
First off... To become a Captain, First Officer of Chief Mate in the United States, one must first accumulate at least 365 days of service while holding a "Second mate's license". Then, the you must attend approximately 13 weeks of classes and pass a series of examinations given by the United States Coast Guard.
Similarly, one must have worked as a "Third mate" for 365 days to have become a Second mate.
There are two methods to attain an unlimited Third mate's license in the United States: to attend a specialized training institution, or to accumulate "sea time" and take a series of training classes and examinations.
Training institutions include the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Naval Academy, as well as some (approved) State maritime colleges, as well as the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. There is also an "alternative" three-year apprentice mate training program approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The best place to start your research is at the U.S. Coast Guard, as they ultimately are the ones that will approve (or disapprove) everything... Don't get mislead by anyone selling you classes, curriculum, online studies, or anything else without USCG verification of the schools approval.
It is a great well respected and highly rewarding career. Pays substantially more then Airlines pay Airline Pilots, and the benefits are pretty neat too... I'm sure, as you can imagine.
For more information check out the links under "sources"...
Good Luck,
John
Similarly, one must have worked as a "Third mate" for 365 days to have become a Second mate.
There are two methods to attain an unlimited Third mate's license in the United States: to attend a specialized training institution, or to accumulate "sea time" and take a series of training classes and examinations.
Training institutions include the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Naval Academy, as well as some (approved) State maritime colleges, as well as the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. There is also an "alternative" three-year apprentice mate training program approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The best place to start your research is at the U.S. Coast Guard, as they ultimately are the ones that will approve (or disapprove) everything... Don't get mislead by anyone selling you classes, curriculum, online studies, or anything else without USCG verification of the schools approval.
It is a great well respected and highly rewarding career. Pays substantially more then Airlines pay Airline Pilots, and the benefits are pretty neat too... I'm sure, as you can imagine.
For more information check out the links under "sources"...
Good Luck,
John