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License Preparation Seminar
About the License Preparation Seminar
This seminar will help prepare candidates for the following USCG license exams.
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500T-1600T Mate or Master (Near Coastal or Oceans)
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3M/2M Unlimited - Oceans
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UFIV Mate or Master
Next Dates:
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Jan 4-15, 2027 for the 10 days Mate’s License - Near Coastal
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Jan 18 - 22, 2027 for all Oceans endorsement
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Jan 25 - 29, 2027 Master’s License (Stability topics)
Costs:
15 Day Course - $3,600
5 additional days for Master’s License - $1,200
About the Exams
Understanding the Exam Process and Your Next Steps
Exams at this level must be administered at a Regional Exam Center (REC). Once you are ready to test, you must make an appointment at the REC of your choice. Test modules must be taken within a one-week period, minimum of two modules per day. You cannot spread out the modules and you cannot span a weekend. You can request modules be administered in a desired sequence when you make your appointment.
To get a feel for what your exam will involve, refer to the Q-module codes on your Approval to Test (ATT) letter, then go to the US Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) website and look at a sample exam for each of your modules.
The link to the USCG sample exams is here:
About the Class
Course Structure & What to Expect
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The course is 10 days for Mate’s License - Near Coastal.
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An additional 5 days for all Oceans endorsements
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An additional 5 days for Master’s License (Stability topics).
This seminar is a review course in which we cover those subjects that are historically the most challenging for most candidates. Testing and study strategy are also highlighted.
This 10-15-20 day series is dense and fast-paced, like drinking from a fire hose. Given the time constraints and focus of this course, it is not possible to cover every possible subject that might be tested on the exams, nor is the intent to re-teach you foundational subjects. Preparation for the 70% modules, which require mostly short-term memory of random subjects, will be largely done outside of class hours using LAPWARE with instructor guidance.
Preparation Before Class
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If you are pursuing an Oceans endorsement, you must have already passed a celestial class. If you are pursuing a Master’s license, you must have already passed a stability class. There is not enough time to teach, from scratch, these difficult subjects in this short seminar.
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If your skills are a bit rusty, we recommend you review your course materials from previous courses and license preparation seminars. Since we focus on the most difficult subjects, there are no easy days.
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If your math skills are rusty, it can cause tremendous stress and make class truly miserable. A useful resource is the book “Formulae for the Mariner” by Richard Plant. It has not only basic math instruction, but sailings, stability, and seamanship formulae.
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There are also many wonderful, free algebra and trigonometry review courses online, many of which are modular, so you can take only those lectures that interest you.
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You must be able to manipulate formulae and solve for unknown values, solve for angles and sides of right triangles and do basic trig, interpolate values on tables, and most importantly, be able to estimate. Estimation is critical so you’ll know immediately if an answer you calculate makes sense.
Final Exam Readiness
Most candidates are NOT ready to sit for the license the day instruction ends. This course will give you structure and material to draw from as you finalize your preparation. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Most candidates need 2-4 weeks to practice and focus on weak areas before being ready to sit for their exams - some need more time to percolate.
What is Required to Enroll?
What You Need Before Getting Started
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You must have your ATT letter from the National Maritime Center. We will ask for a copy of this before officially enrolling you to be sure the NMC listed the correct modules and that we can offer you the correct preparation.
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Candidates must enroll in LAPWARE (www.lapware.org)
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While there are no formal prerequisites, candidates must have solid math skills, including basic algebra and trig, and the ability to interpolate and estimate. Not having solid math skills creates a lot of friction and interferes with learning and retention.
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STCW endorsements are required for sailing in international waters or calls at foreign ports. STCW endorsements can be earned after the exam. Flagship Maritime does not offer any STCW courses.
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Exam results expire one year after the date of the first exam, so be sure you have all certifications required to be issued the license (first aid, firefighting, etc.) done within the one-year window. These certs can also be completed before you test.
What to Bring?
Come Prepared for a Smooth Training Experience
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A laptop computer.
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A subscription to LAPWARE is required. www.lapware.org
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Two binders: One 2” binder just for rules and a 3” binder for everything else. You will need binder dividers as well. Most candidates organize their binders by the modules listed on their ATT letter.
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A thumb drive with at least 1 GB of space. I have a ton of files for you.
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The exact same non-programmable calculator you plan to use during the exam. Many RECs are issuing a TI-30XIIS if a candidate doesn’t have an acceptable calculator.
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Plotting gear. You need a pair of navigator’s triangles, one parallel rules (not critical but helpful) and a set of dividers, preferably two sets of dividers (one you’ll put a lead in and use as a compass). I prefer the Weems and Plath Ultralight dividers because they have a tangent screw, which means you’re less likely to change the spread as you handle them.
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Bring an emery board nail file to sharpen the leads used in the dividers. The traditional style brass style dividers are less precise and will not offer the precision you’ll need given the tight tolerances on the exam – don’t bring them.
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Mechanical pencils 0.5 or finer (if you’re heavy handed, a slim lead may snap too easily for you) and a lead soft enough to be clearly visible but not so soft it’s smudgy (Your instructor prefers 2B but if you like harder/lighter go with HB, don’t go harder than HB as the lines are too light to see).
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White vinyl erasers. Pink pearl erasers are too abrasive for charts and leave smudges – don’t bring them.
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A highlighter.
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Stick-on tabs for marking reference pubs.
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(Oceans only) Rude Starfinder – You must bring your own Starfinder to your USCG exam - they are not provided.
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Have any previous class notes available for evenings. You do not need to bring these to class. Just have them with you at home or in your hotel.
Publications to bring if you have them (the classroom has some copies as well).
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1981 Nautical Almanac (or new USCG “dateless” Training Almanac)
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Chart #1 Chart Symbols
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H.O. Pub. 229 Volume II Sight Reduction Tables
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1983 Tide & Current Excerpt Book COMDTPUB P16721.46
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US Coast Pilot & Light List Excerpts COMDTPUB P16721.38
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USCG Stability Data Reference Book COMDPUB P16721.31
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Rules of the Road book (current edition)
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Pub. 9, Bowditch Vol. 2 (NMC is now using the 2019 edition of Bowditch II, some RECs have both editions and some only have the 1981 edition)
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One each of the three training charts: TR12221, TR12354, TR13205
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WOXCZ Charts for both Atlantic and Pacific
Your Instructor
Captain Tuuli Messer-Bookman
Instructor, Flagship Maritime
Capt. Tuuli Messer-Bookman brings a remarkable depth of maritime experience to the Flagship Maritime classroom. A 1986 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, she earned a degree in Marine Transportation, a commission as an ensign in the Naval Reserve, and a USCG Unlimited Tonnage 3rd Mate’s license. In 1997, she advanced to Master – Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans, and has logged more than 300,000 miles at sea as a professional ship’s officer.
After her sea-going career, Capt. Messer-Bookman attended law school and worked on a maritime law journal. Although she chose not to practice law, she has since built a distinguished career as a maritime consultant and expert witness, contributing to more than 100 maritime cases in both state and federal courts.
Her passion for education led her to the California Maritime Academy, where she taught USCG license preparation and navigation for over two decades. Her instruction covered everything from piloting and celestial navigation to simulator-based bridge watchstanding and training cruise assessments. Capt. Messer-Bookman has authored three maritime books and numerous industry articles. In recognition of her academic career, she retired as a Professor Emerita in 2018. She continues to teach and mentor mariners pursuing Coast Guard licenses at all levels.
In 2026, she was honored as a Fellow of the Nautical Institute, a prestigious international organization with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations.
She’ll be guiding you through the preparation process, but you’ll be doing all the work.
Explore All Our Training Programs
At Flagship Maritime, we’re passionate about helping mariners build skills and confidence on the water. Our courses are designed to provide practical knowledge and hands-on training in a supportive, engaging environment.
Whether you're working toward a captain’s license, adding an endorsement, or learning essential safety skills, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Discover the right course for your journey.