by DavidFrank » September 23, 2010, 2:33 pm
New STCW (standards of training, certification, and Watchkeeping) certification requirements will be implemented on Jan 1, 2012. Great Lakes sailors are not required to have STCW certification. However, if they ever want to sail on salt water they need this certificate. Currently, the cost is around $900 to take a week-long course and then apply for the certificate from the Coast Guard. I combined work and vacation by taking the course in Ft. Lauderdale from Marine Professional Training (
www.mptusa.com). There is a good chance that the 2012 changes will lock out Great Lake sailors from just taking the course and getting the certificate. This winter would be a good time for Great Lakes sailors, especially AB's and Oilers, to pick up the STCW.
New STCW (standards of training, certification, and Watchkeeping) certification requirements will be implemented on Jan 1, 2012. Great Lakes sailors are not required to have STCW certification. However, if they ever want to sail on salt water they need this certificate. Currently, the cost is around $900 to take a week-long course and then apply for the certificate from the Coast Guard. I combined work and vacation by taking the course in Ft. Lauderdale from Marine Professional Training (www.mptusa.com). There is a good chance that the 2012 changes will lock out Great Lake sailors from just taking the course and getting the certificate. This winter would be a good time for Great Lakes sailors, especially AB's and Oilers, to pick up the STCW.