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.
USCG License Renewal: Step-by-Step (and the 5-Year Clock)
How to renew your USCG captain's license before it lapses — the 5-year clock, the renewal window, the recency requirement, and exactly what to submit. Don't let your credential expire.
USCG Engineering Exam Study Guide: What's Actually Tested
The engineering module on the USCG exam covers diesels, fuel and lube systems, pumps, and electrical basics. Here's what's tested, where people lose points, and how to study it efficiently.
TWIC Card: How to Get One for Your Captain's License
Your first TWIC is required before the Coast Guard will issue your captain's license. Here's how to enroll, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to keep it from delaying your application.
USCG Towing Officer Endorsement (TOAR): What to Know
The path to a Master of Towing or Mate (Pilot) of Towing endorsement runs through the TOAR — a practical demonstration of skills, not just a written test. Here's how the towing endorsement works.
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.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your Captain's License?
From deciding to start to holding the credential, a realistic USCG captain's license timeline — the course, the documents, the exam, and the NMC processing wait most people underestimate.
Gross Tonnage Explained: Why 25 / 50 / 100 / 200-Ton Matters
Tonnage isn't weight — it's volume, and it sets the ceiling on what you can captain. Here's what gross tonnage means, how your license tonnage is determined, and why it decides your career path.
From Deckhand to Captain: The Full USCG License Ladder
The complete path from your first day as a deckhand to a Master's license — every rung, what each one requires, and how to climb it without wasting time or sea days.
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.
Calculating ETA to the Boarding Point — and When to Launch the Pilot Boat
How a dispatch board turns AIS into a defensible ETA at the boarding ground, then fires the launch alert at the right minute — not too early, not too late.
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.