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 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.
Crew Credential Tracking: Why the Spreadsheet Fails a Growing Fleet
Every small operator starts tracking MMCs, TWICs, and medicals in a spreadsheet. It works until it doesn't — and the failure mode is an expired credential discovered during a boarding. Here's why the spreadsheet breaks and what replaces it.
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.
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.