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.
Retiring the VHF Paper Board: Moving a Pilots Association to a Digital Dispatch Log
Why the VHF-plus-paper-board breaks on busy days, what a digital dispatch log fixes, and a change-management path that never puts the watch at risk.
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.
How to Choose Dispatch Software for a Marine Pilots Association: A Buyer's Guide
What a pilots association should actually evaluate in dispatch software — AIS model, ETA accuracy, safety stack, rotation equity, billing, and the red flags to walk away from.
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.
USCG Navigation General Study Guide: Master Every Topic
Navigation General is the broadest module on any USCG license exam. This study guide covers compass correction, current sailing, tides, celestial basics, and electronic nav — in the right order.
COLREGS Rules of the Road Practice Test: What to Know Before Exam Day
The Rules of the Road module fails more USCG exam candidates than any other. Here's how to study COLREGS correctly — and what the practice test questions actually test.