driver´s license for boat....where and how do I get it?

[Islaine]

My husband and I are planning to move to Okinawa and he wants to work driving boats or similar...
Where can he get the driver´s license in english????

[sharding]

Camp Foster is where I got my license.

[Islaine]

Thank you...

[billhilly]

Camp Foster is where I got my license.

Where at on Foster. I got my resticted lic. at Kadena Mar. a while back, but I want a real boat license. Thanks.

[Asshat]

Go to Kadena Marina. Ask at the counter. If you do not get a decent answer, go down to where the private boaters are and ask them.

Basically, you take a written and practical test. It's easy, but you wont pass without studying-even if you have a USCG rating. It is a translated Japanese test.

The thing is, there is no requirement to do this (about 400 dollars) unless you are going to buy a boat here. If you are going to rent Kadena Marina's boats, they offer a half day course on Saturday's which will allow you to rent their boats.

[japan-diver]

They normally give the test once or twice a year in English. I took the Class one a few years back and thought it was quite easy- but I had a USCG lic. in the past- the test is very similar. The boaters at Kadena are usually up on when and where the English test is going.

[Asshat]

They normally give the test once or twice a year in English. I took the Class one a few years back and thought it was quite easy- but I had a USCG lic. in the past- the test is very similar. The boaters at Kadena are usually up on when and where the English test is going.

There are vastly different tests, and vastly different methods for taking the exams.

For instance, I have been on a few boats where two women besides the skipper also had Class I's and knew next to nothing about seamanship.

On the other hand, twenty years ago when I did my Class IV for the first time, the instructor tossed me a 3/4" line and a piece of twine and told me to tye a sheep shank.

He then instructed me to come alongside a concrete pier without using reverse.

[Old guy]

Where at on Foster. I got my resticted lic. at Kadena Mar. a while back, but I want a real boat license. Thanks.

Unless you read & speak Japanese you won't get one here.

[LandCru72]

I have a friend that got his lic. from a guy that teaches the class at Awase boat yard twice a year... Otherwise, unless your SOFA you have to goto Naha and take the test... Its in Japanese , but the Ogisan there will usually read the test for you ,if you understand the language then you can go all the way to what they label a 300km class lic. The next step lic. you need a boat crew... The test is costly too... Before you get all hot and bother'd about get a license I suggest you learn a little about their laws... It my understanding you cant even circle the island; because you cross different prefectures and thats a no no ... ? I hate the rules here !!! They seem to be geared to hold you down ... But good luck and this test in Naha cost about 150,000 yen for a Int'l Lic.

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

From Sail Japan, the website for those English speakers who yacht:

http://www.sail-japan.info/site/modules/news/article.php?storyid=181

[Asshat]

The tests are all available in English. You do have to sit through a class (or classes) which are in Japanese. If you know your shit about seamanship, none of this is an issue.

This is not hard.