Nautical Rules of the Road (COLREGS) for Coast Guard Exams
What you'll learn
- In this course, you will learn every Rule in the COLREGS and Inland Nautical Rules of the Road, to a sufficient standard to pass a Coast Guard Exam.
- This course is the most in-depth version you will find on Udemy.
- This course is taught by a professional mariner, ensuring you have a full understanding of the COLREGS
- You will also learn testing strategies in case you are about to take your exam!
Requirements
- There are no prerequisites for this course, although time on the water is helpful.
Description
Brought to you by the highest rated instructor on Udemy for Marine Navigation, Captain Chris Nolan will guide you through the Nautical Rules of the Road (COLREGS), which is an extremely challenging subject.
This course is a monster - it covers every single Rule in the COLREGS, as well as every single rule in the Inland Rules for the USA. It is designed to be a general purpose learning course for the Nautical Rules of the Road, but serves equally well for Coast Guard Examination Prep. If you are studying for a Coast Guard license at any level - from six pack to Unlimited Master, this course serves as a repository of Nautical Rules of the Road (COLREGS) knowledge.
In the course, each rule is explained in a video course using a whiteboard and graphics. Each rule also presents several multiple-choice examination questions that you can use to better your knowledge. Each section has an additional longer quiz and video lecture describing the various questions/answers. Finally, there are study tips, test-taking strategies, and common topics that students get wrong so that you can avoid mistakes on the water or in the exam room.
This highly-sought course was previously only available for select students through Practical Navigator Training, but is presented here for anyone to improve their boating skills or advance their professional license. Captain Chris Nolan is a licensed merchant mariner and Coast Guard veteran based in the United States.
Who this course is for:
- This course is designed for recreational and professional mariners interested in a better understanding of the Nautical Rules of the Road (COLREGS) or those preparing for a Coast Guard Exam.
Instructor
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 699 Reviews
- 5,528 Students
- 10 Courses
I have had the pleasure of sailing professionally as a Coast Guard cutter commanding officer and deck watch officer, as well as a civilian tall ship captain. I love teaching and learning about maritime topics! My formal CV is below:
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Practical Navigator Training 2013-Present
Owner and Educator, Nautical Science
Primary curriculum designer and instructor for professional maritime courses from basic captain's licenses to advanced celestial navigation.
Sea Education Association 2015-Present
Assistant Professor, Nautical Science & Leadership
Ship captain and lecturer in nautical science and leadership for post secondary sail training programs. Programs are a semester in length and combine formal classroom instruction with oceanographic research cruises aboard one of two 150+ ton sail training vessels. In addition to teaching, the captain is responsible for vessel operations, compliance with regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Coast Guard and American Bureau of Shipping, general maintenance, crew training, and voyage planning.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS:
Domestic – Master of self propelled vessels (incl. Aux Sail) upon Ocean Routes, under 1600 GRT.
International (STCW) – Master less than 3000 GT. Advanced firefighting, vessel security officer, radar observer (unlimited), able seaman (unlimited) etc.
EDUCATION:
Professional Science Master’s Degree: Fisheries & Wildlife Administration 2016
Oregon State University
Joint Professional Military Education, Phase One
United States Naval War College
Bachelor of Science (Honors) – Marine & Environmental Science 2002
United States Coast Guard Academy
Chemical & Physical Oceanography Concentrations
PUBLICATIONS:
Books
The Cutterman’s Guide to Navigation Problems. 287-page celestial navigation manual. 2013
EAGLE SEAMANSHIP: A Manual for Square Rigger Sailing, 4ed. Naval Institute Press. 2011
Papers
Huzzey, Linda M. and Nolan, Christopher D. 2005. Residence Time of Smith Cove, Thames River Estuary, USA. USCG Center for Advanced Studies.
Websites/Asymmetric Learning
The Practical Navigator: a site dedicated to navigation and seamanship.
AWARDS:
U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Sustainability Award for Operational Units, 2010. Awarded for making significant contributions to reductions in fuel, water and consumable materials waste while serving as commanding officer (master) of CGC JEFFERSON ISLAND.
U.S. Coast Guard Educational Service Provider of the Year, Afloat Units, 2003. Awarded for dramatically improving off-duty education processes for enlisted personnel while serving as first lieutenant (third mate) of CGC ALEX HALEY.
Various personal and unit awards from U.S. Coast Guard, including four USCG Commendation medals.
RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (United States Coast Guard Officer):
Cleared to view Top Secret (TS) Information by Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). Clearance (S) or (TS) maintained 2001-2015.
Chief, International and Combatant Commander Planning Section 2014-2015
Alameda, CA – Responsible for converting higher policy and strategic direction into operational planning guidance for all international Coast Guard missions in the Pacific theater. Coordinated Department of Defense and International response operations plans for USCG Pacific Area.
Commanding Officer (Master), USCGC JEFFERSON ISLAND 2010-2012
Portland, ME – Complete responsibility for training, budget, well being, and discipline for 110’, $8m ship and 18-member crew. Conducted fisheries law enforcement and search & rescue from Canadian border to New Jersey.
Navigator/Operations Officer (Second Mate), USCGC EAGLE 2008-2010
New London, CT – Coordinated all training, cutter navigation, and public relations for 295’ barque-rigged tall ship. Managed up to 60 crew and 135 trainees and coordinated all port logistics for numerous domestic and foreign port visits.
Joint Rescue Coordination Center Command Duty Officer 2006-2008
Honolulu, HI – Managed all Coast Guard tactical operations and search & rescue response in 12.2 million square mile area of responsibility in central Pacific Ocean.
Commanding Officer (Master), USCGC DORADO 2004-2006
Crescent City, CA – Complete responsibility for training, budget, well being, and discipline for 87’ $5m ship and 12-member crew. Conducted fisheries law enforcement and search & rescue from Puget Sound to San Diego.
First Lieutenant (Third Mate), USCGC ALEX HALEY 2002-2004
Kodiak, AK – Conducted fisheries law enforcement and search & rescue in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. Supervised 35 personnel and $120k annual operating budget for deck and weapons maintenance & training. Leading fisheries law enforcement boarding officer for ensuring at-sea compliance with commercial fishing and safety regulations.