Not to hijack this thread but to those who are thinking of a 6-pack or other USCG license, I've been on the water since I was 8 years old, I know the rules of the road and even many of the lights and sounds but I was surprised by the rigor called for to obtain my captains licenses. For example, when does a sailboat NOT have the right of way over a powerboat? turns out there are several occasions when this is true (restricted draft, act of fishing, crossing a channel, etc.), I spent about a year studying for the test and it was fun to learn everything I didn't know, I still refer back sometimes as a refresher.
As to the comments about the additional requirements since 911 they are true but have started to be relaxed a little. You can now get waivers for the TWIC card and a physical every 5 years isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The initial sea time requirement goes back to 15 years of age and is cumulative over your lifetime assuming you can document your time.
All in all for me it was fun and educational, and getting the license allowed me to check one more thing of the bucket list.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming. The Admiral's wishes are my command, I look more like Skipper than a Captain and definitely Mary Anne!!
