From the bridge
RSSPractical maritime compliance.
Plain-English writing for commercial operators — USCG rules, Sub M, STCW, cyber, and the free tools we built along the way. No regulatory fog. No SEO filler.
How Much Sea Time Do You Need for Each USCG License?
OUPV, 100-Ton, 200-Ton, MMC — exactly how many days of sea service each USCG license requires, the 90-day recency rule that trips people up, and how to document it on Form CG-719S.
How Much Does a Captain's License Cost? (2026 Breakdown)
The real all-in cost of a USCG captain's license in 2026 — course, TWIC, physical, drug test, and Coast Guard fees — broken down by license, plus the hidden cost most first-timers miss.
COLREGS Lights and Shapes: The Complete Quiz and Study Guide
Lights and shapes are the most reliably tested topic in every USCG Rules of the Road module. Master the arc widths, the vessel types, and the identification method before exam day.
USCG Deck General Exam Study Guide: Every Topic Covered
Deck General is the most question-dense module on USCG license exams. This study guide covers every major topic — stability, anchoring, fire, weather, cargo — in exam-ready detail.
Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) Exam: Complete Application Guide
The MMC is your federal mariner's credential from the USCG NMC. Here's how applications work, what documents you need, how the exam fits in, and what every mariner gets wrong.
USCG Safety Exam Topics: Everything You Need to Know
The USCG safety module covers fire, flooding, lifesaving equipment, distress signals, and first aid. Here's every topic and what the exam actually asks about each one.
Radar Observer Exam USCG: Full Prep Guide for 2026
The USCG Radar Observer endorsement requires a separate exam covering radar operation, ARPA plotting, and collision avoidance. Here's what's on it and how to pass.
Pilot Dispatch Software: What Modern Pilots Associations Actually Need
Most pilots associations still coordinate dispatch over VHF and paper boards. Here's what a purpose-built dispatch board does differently — area AIS, ETA to the boarding point, collision alerts, and a transit log that feeds billing.
CPA and TCPA Explained: The Collision-Avoidance Math Behind Vessel Traffic
Closest Point of Approach and Time to Closest Point of Approach are the two numbers every ARPA radar and collision-alert system computes. Here's what they mean, how the vector math works, and how dispatch software uses them.
Compulsory Pilotage Under 46 USC 8501: What the Law Actually Requires
46 USC 8501 puts pilotage on state-licensed pilots for most foreign and registered vessels in U.S. waters. Here's how the federal statute, state pilotage law, and the coastwise exemption fit together — and who is actually required to take a pilot.
Celestial Navigation USCG Exam: Tips From Someone Who Passed
Celestial navigation is the hardest module on the USCG Master 200-ton and higher exams. Here's exactly how the sight reduction procedure works and how to stop making the errors that fail candidates.
Chart Plotting USCG Exam: How to Pass Every Problem
Chart plotting is the only hands-on module on the USCG license exam. Nine problems, real paper charts, plotting tools. Here's the problem types, the mechanics, and how to avoid the errors that sink candidates.