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 to Study for the USCG OUPV (6-Pack) Exam: A Week-by-Week Plan
A realistic week-by-week study plan for the USCG OUPV exam — what to drill each day, how to use practice tests, and how to know you are ready.
How to Study for a USCG MMC Upgrade Exam: A Week-by-Week Plan
A study plan for upgrading your Merchant Mariner Credential — how to schedule around the endorsement you are adding, drill with timed practice tests, and prep the oral.
How to Study for the USCG 200-Ton Master Exam: A Week-by-Week Plan
A study schedule for the USCG 200-Ton Master exam — daily targets including celestial navigation and radar, timed practice tests, weak-area work, and oral prep.
How to Study for the USCG 100-Ton Master Exam: A Week-by-Week Plan
A realistic study schedule for the USCG 100-Ton Master exam — daily drilling targets, how to use timed practice tests, weak-area work, and oral-exam prep.
The USCG Oral Exam: What REC Examiners Actually Test
Passing the written test gets you to the oral exam — a different format with the same rules. Here is what REC examiners ask, why candidates fail, and how to prepare your answers before the appointment.
COLREGS: Crossing, Overtaking, or Head-On? A Decision Guide for the USCG Exam
Before you can answer what action is required, you have to correctly classify the encounter. This guide walks through Rules 13, 14, and 15 in order, shows you the exam traps, and gives you a decision process that works on paper and at the REC.
The 10 Most Commonly Missed USCG Rules of the Road Questions
Most Rules of the Road failures come from the same ten traps. Each one has a specific wrong answer that feels right until you understand why it is wrong. Know these before exam day.
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.
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.