The way I read it is if you fail 2 years in a row, it’s an additional year until you can test again. the time starts from your first failure. 3 years total
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That actually makes a lot more sense, because thats what the code says. I definitely misread that a couple years ago that and never looked back.
Well I plan on going to take the Jacksonville test now even though I will not be nearly as ready as I want to be for it. Just to at least see the test and experience it
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Every building, warehouse, flagpole, range lights, all ATONs along with their characteristics, every sounding that shows on the real chart, every printed note on the chart, all safety fairways and TSS, an accurate compass rose. If the chart you’re drawing is color coded such as light blue shading of water shallower than 5 fathoms then be prepared with your colored pencils. The exam proctor at USCG REC LA/LB emailed me asking me to telephone him. When I called, he said it is critically important that I am drawing the exact same chart that he would be looking at to correct it. He suggested that we both purchase new (fully corrected and updated) Print On Demand charts of the pilotage area. He suggested that we both agree upon a time and date to submit our individual orders for the same chart. The exam was drawn on an 8.5" x 11" piece of white paper. The only marking were a latitude and longitude reference, a scale, and the outline of the land. I started my practice drawings using 3’ x 4’ pieces of butcher paper. First one took me over eight hours. I knew that when testing at USCG I would only have one 3 hour 40 minute testing session to complete the drawing. I think I drew 30 or more charts on the butcher paper before switching to the 8.5 x 11 paper to practice on. I drew well over 100 charts on the smaller paper before I had the completion time under 3.5 hours. After that many repetitions the material is absolutely memorized. There were also 50 local knowledge essay questions to hand write your answers to that must be passed before the exam proctor would even issue the pilotage chart drawing section. I did essay questions in the morning test session, and chart drawing in the afternoon session.
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YMMV.
Every REC is different.
Houston - no soundings at all. And no local knowledge test.
Truer words were seldom found on this forum!
Florida harbor pilot exam charts are not drawn at an REC
Do you have to draw at the REC at some point for real pilotage or does the USCG accept Florida’s test?
You redraw at the end of your apprenticeship, not sure how or who assesses it anymore.
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Florida pilot test isn’t “real” pilotage? Is it easier than what the USCG requires?
It sounds like it’s only for acceptance to the program and not for the actual pilotage. I thought the only way one could get pilotage was by drawing at the REC.
The state license is multitudes more difficult to get than a federal license from the USCG.
Federal is just trips, chart, some local knowledge, bobs youre uncle.
State is:
- Get the high score out of everyone who shows up for the deputy exam (400 questions + chart)
- Get federal pilotage within 90 days
- 2-3 years a deputy,
- Pass the state exam, which is as difficult as the deputy exam.
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Looking for other information. I know it’s a whole different animal. But would studying USCG exams for Rules of the Road help at all preparing for this? There are bound to be somewhat similar questions I would imagine.
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Unfortunately, the only way to know whats on the test is to read the CIB and take the test.
Folks have been working on this for years building their system to get the high score, (hopefully) no one is going to come in and tell you whats on the test, especially here where its going to be indexed on google till John Konrad stops paying the bills.
I figured this would be the case but worth a shot anyway. Again I am going to take it in May for the Jacksonville test to see it. I’m not looking for handouts, more or less guidance
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Any updates?
Does anybody know if the Test Chart provides Lat/Long or does that have to be hand drawn as well?
We at Pilot Test Charts have reached out and spoken directly with the REC Miami Chief. One lat/long line is allowable. Reach out if you have more questions
I appreciate the reply but that doesn’t answer my question.
I ordered your Test Charts and there was no Lat/Long on them and I am trying to find out from someone who has sat for the test in Tallahassee in the past can tell me if the Testing Charts used in Tallahassee for the Deputy Pilot Exams have Lat/Long and Scale on them or if I have to hand draw them myself.
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Just a quick query of my American colleagues……in addition to charts and oral examination are prospective Pilotage applicants subjected to simulation prior to appointment?