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.
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.
Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Compliance (46 CFR Part 28): What Owners Must Carry
Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country, and 46 CFR Part 28 sets the safety equipment, exam, and training requirements that follow from that. Here's what a fishing vessel owner has to carry and keep current.
Ballast Water Management Compliance for US Operators, Explained
Ballast water is regulated by two overlapping US authorities — the Coast Guard and the EPA — plus the international convention. For a US operator the question is which apply to your vessel and what records you must keep. Here's the plain-English version.
The USCG Physical & Drug Test (CG-719K): What to Expect
The medical exam and drug test trip up more captain's license applications than the written test. Here's exactly what the CG-719K physical checks, what can disqualify you, and how to pass the drug screen.
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.