Compass Courses offers a variety of training options for mariners of all skill levels and experience. All of the courses listed below are approved by the US Coast Guard. Upon successful completion of one of our approved courses, you will receive a certificate which satisfies the training requirements of the US Coast Guard. At Compass Courses we don't "teach the test". Our students learn valuable skills from highly trained, experienced and enthusiastic instructors.

This "in lieu of exam" course is designed for mariners who have satisfied the sea service requirements for the Able Seaman rating. Successful completion of this course will satisfy the written and practical examination for any Able Seaman document (Unlimited, Limited, Special, Special OSV).

Upon successful completion of the 40 hour course, you present your Certificate of Training at a USCG Regional Exam Center. This will satisfy the written examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.05-9 for the "Deck & Navigation General / Deck Safety" and "Deck General & Safety / Rules of the Road" exam modules for any Able Seaman endorsement; AND the practical (knot-tying) examination requirements of 46 CFR 12.05-9 for any Able Seaman endorsement.

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This 32-hour course is offered in accordance with requirements of Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 10.301-304. It satisfies the training requirements of 46 CFR 12.10-3(a)(5) or (6) and sections A-VI/2 and Table A-VI/2-1 of the STCW 95 Code, as well as satisfying the written and practical requirements of 46 CFR 12.10.5 for any endorsement as Lifeboatman, provided that sea service requirements are met. Students successfully completing this course take the Coast Guard examinations with us.

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Take the Exam with Us! Our Captain's License course is 80 hours, and goes two weeks, Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm. This course is designed for those who are looking to upgrade from OUPV, hold a license of 25-50 GRT, or for those who are going for their original license and have seatime on private or commercial vessels. Whether you are working as a deckhand and looking to make your way into the wheelhouse, or if you own your own vessel and you are interested in operating private charters, this is the course for you. All of our Master courses offer two weeks of classroom instruction by a professional, licensed captain. Graduates of our Captain's course go on to successful, lucrative careers in the maritime industry. The Compass Courses staff will help guide you through the whole process, including documenting your seatime and assistance with the application process. We don't simply "teach the test". Our instructors provide the highest quality classroom instruction, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to operate a vessel with confidence.

Compass Courses is licensed by the State of Washington as a private vocational school. Be aware, some organizations offering "Captain's" courses are not licensed as private vocational schools and therefore not covered by the state of Washington's Tuition Recovery Fund. This fund protects the consumer by guaranteeing tuition reimbursement should the school close or fail to meet its obligations.

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This course provides training to mariners seeking an STCW endorsement at the management and operational (Master/Mate) levels on vessels over 500 Gross Tons ITC. Completion of the course will satisfy the requirements of 46 CFR 10.205(o) and section B-VIII/2, Part 3-1 of the STCW 95 Code. This is a non-simulator based course.

This course will also be of value to others operating vessels on the water who may not be seeking U.S. Coast Guard documents, licenses or endorsements, or whose experience is not up to the minimum requirements established under ideal conditions

A comprehensive practical exercise involving all aspects of voyage planning will be conducted during most of the second day of training. Successful participation in and completion of all aspects of the exercise is required to pass the course.

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5-DAY Original RADAR Observer Course
The goal of this course is to train students in the proper use of radar for risk assessment, collision avoidance, and navigation. The curriculum exceeds USCG and IMO requirements for radar training. The course includes classroom instruction where our students master the theories behind effective use of RADAR equipment, and "hands-on" training on our state-of-the-art PC based RADAR simulator. Our course satisfies the requirements of 46 CFR 10.480 as a Radar Observer (Unlimited); Radar training requirements for certification as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on vessels of 500 or more gross tons (ITC); and Table A-II/1 of the STCW-95 code.

1-DAY RADAR Observer RENEWAL
The course is approved for Unlimited, Inland and Rivers Recertification. Students must bring their original radar certificate and any Recertification certificates or their license showing a radar endorsement and expiration date.

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STCW Crowd Management & Crisis Management and Human Behavior Courses:
Section A-V/3 of the STCW Code outlines mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger ships.

4 Hour Crowd Management (Includes Ro-Ro)
Our 4-Hour Crowd Management course is offered to individuals and groups. Designed for all personnel designated on muster lists to assist passengers in emergency situations on passenger ships. Satisfies: (1) the Crowd Management training requirements of Paragraph 1 of Section A-V/2 of the STCW Code for Ro-Ro Passenger Vessels and Paragraph 1 of Section A-V/3 of the STCW Code for Passenger Ships Other Than Ro-Ro Passenger Vessels; --AND-- (2) the Safety Training requirements of Paragraph 3 of Section A-V/2 of the STCW Code for Ro-Ro Passenger Vessels and Paragraph 3 of Section A-V/3 of the STCW Code for Passenger Ships Other Than Ro-Ro Passenger Vessels.

14 Hour Crisis Management and Human Behavior (Includes Ro-Ro)
Designed for chief mates, chief engineers, second officers and any person having responsibility for the safety of passengers in emergency situations. This 2 day course covers: (1) the Crisis Management and Human Behavior training requirements of Sections A-V/2 and A-V/3 of the STCW Code for Ro-Ro Passenger Ships and Passenger Ships Other Than Ro-Ro Passenger ships; AND (2) the Passenger Safety, Cargo Safety and Hull Integrity training requirements of Paragraph 4 of Section A-V/2 of the STCW Code for Ro-Ro Passenger Ships; AND (3) the Passenger Safety training requirements of Paragraph 4 of Section A-V/2 of the STCW Code for Passenger Ships Other Than Ro-Ro Passenger Ships.

8 Hour Crisis Management and Human Behavior (Non Ro-Ro)
Our 8-Hour Crisis Management course is offered to individuals and groups. Designed for chief mates, chief engineers, second officers and any person having responsibility for the safety of passengers in emergency situations. This 1 day course covers the training required by STCW Section V/3, as outlined in Table A-V/3 and Paragraph 5 of Section A-V/3, as well as the Passenger Safety training requirements of Paragraph 4 of Section A-V/3 of the STCW Code for passenger ships other than Ro-Ro passenger vessels.

All of our Crowd & Crisis Management & Human Behavior classes are scheduled for groups and exportable. Our instructors come to your vessel or facility to conduct the class. Please call our office for details 425-778-1923.

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This 2-day course satisfies the training requirements of the STCW Regulation A-II/4 and Section A-II/4 for certification as Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch Restricted to Lookout Duties only. This certification is valid for one year and may not be renewed. Why take the RFPNW training? STCW includes entry level ratings standing watch in support of the navigational watch that they have been trained and assessed in:

Steering the ship and complying with helm orders in the English language;
Keeping a proper lookout by sight and hearing;
Contribute to monitoring and controlling a safe watch;
Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures.

It is a requirement for Able Seaman getting the STCW endorsement to satisfy the RFPNW training and qualifications. This is why it is important for your ordinary seaman (OS) to have met the RFPNW requirement that intend to advance to Able Seaman.

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In addition to our regularly scheduled open enrollment classes, Compass Courses will create custom training programs to meet the needs of your organization. If you have a group of employees who need training, you can send them to our facility for a private class, or we can bring the training to you. Contact Julie Keim at 425-778-1923 for details.

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