Stcw

[Poser]

Greetings ladies and gents,
I've recently adopted the boating lifestyle, having spent the last month on a Catamaran and currently helping to deliver a motoryatch to the great lakes.

I need to get my STCW certification somewhere on the east coast. I figured on Boston, Newport, Charleston or something of the like. I started my current trip in Lauderdale which was fine and dandy but hurricane season has those under sail moving north.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a good maritime school with some serious sailboat activity nearby in the next month? Opinons, interjections, personal experiences?

[CalebD]

In NY we have: http://www.sunymaritime.edu/
and
United States Merchant Marine Academy
both should offer the STCW watch standing courses. King's Point may have more of a sailing program then SUNY Maritime but they are both good.

[sailingdog]

Mass maritime offers the course IIRC and is in Massachusetts.

[JimsCAL]

For what kind of license? STCW certification is normally required only for international service. Sounds like you are new to boating. To get a 6-pack or limited tonnage captains license will require documenting experience (days of boating) and taking a course and/or passing a test. Check the USCG website for details.

[nolatom]

You can get a 100-ton license without STCW. 200 and above requires it.