What Are Your Options?
Bluewater Maritime School offers training under three different programs.
- Captains and Masters Program
- Deck Program
- STCW-95 Program
Captains and Masters Program
Captains and Masters offers courses for Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV also referred to as a six pack license). In addition, we offer 100 Ton Master and upgrades from OUPV to 100 Ton Master, and from 100 Ton to 200 Ton Master.
Commercial Assist Towing is a part of our Captains and Masters Program and is included (per request) at no extra cost. Also included as a part of tuition are all fees, books, instruments, First Aid/CPR, and testing. No hidden costs is our rule.
Deck Program
The Deck Program inludes Able Seaman. This class is for the Mariner who has the requisite minimum 180 days of sea service. It provides the training, testing and practical exams neccessary for an endorsement as an Able Seaman. This course does not include the Lifeboatmen/PSC element (refer to STCW-95 Program for information on this course.) Look under our benefits area to obtain information on Our Mariners Package which combines price and schedule to benefit the Merchant Marine upgrading to Able Seaman.
Ordinary Seaman (OS with BST/RFPNW) is also offered as a part of Bluewater's Deck Program. This class is for entry level students looking to break into the Maritime Industry. It is currently designed as a three week class which includes basic information related to terminology, ship construction, and marlinspike seamanship. It also includes BST and RFPNW. The basic structure of this course has been evolving over the past 10 years to it's current form. These changes have been in response to changing Coast Guard requirements, industry feedback, and the extensive experience of our instructors. Many of the students who have entered the program have gone on to be Able Seaman, Masters, or obtained endorsements in other areas of the maritime field.
STCW - 95 Program
Bluewater currently offers four courses under the STCW-95 Convention:
- STCW-95 Basic Safety Training (BST)
- STCW-95 Refresher Basic Safety Training
- STCW-95 Proficiency in Suvival Craft (PSC - also known as lifeboatman)
- Rating Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW) - limited to lookout duties
The BST class leads to a mariners initial endorsement. It has four blocks of training, which can be taken seperately:
- First Aid and CPR
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
- Basic Fire Fighting (BFF)
Advancement to Able Seaman requires a BST endorsement.
Refresher BST is for the candidate who has undergone initial BST training but does not have the requisite 365 days sea service in the prior five years on a qualifying vessel. During this course we review First Aid and CPR, PSSR and the student participates in the practical aspects of PST and Basic Fire Fighting.
Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC) is for those requiring an endorsement for advancement to Able Seaman and has yet to receive a lifeboatman endorsement. It prepares the student in all aspects of taking command of a lifeboat. This includes launching, propelling or rowing the boat, knowledge of survival equipment, and retrieving the lifeboat. It is required for service on vessels equipped with lifeboats.
Rating Forming Part of a Navigation Watch (RFPNW). This endorsement is limtied to lookout duties only and is good for one year. It allows the holder of this endorsement to stand lookout duties as a part of the navigation watch team. This endorsement is not renewable.
A full RFPNW endorsement is required those individuals seeking advancement to AB Unlimited.
LOOK FOR MORE STCW-95 CLASSES COMING SOON
