Life On Sail

Everyday looks the same.  I am bored, because I am not cramming for any exams.  And I need to stay quiet, because mister is the one focusing on prepping for the offshore license... I can't wait for it to be over.  2 weeks to go.  Seems like an eternity.  But in the meantime, it gives us time to look for the boat.  Brokers are not so reactive, especially the ones abroad.  And winter time is not the period when people sell their boats, so not that many juicy offers.   

I will not take this exam, but Nico will be preparing, on his own, without going to class, the offshore license.  Here are some tips and the costs.  What do you need for the offshore exam? For preparing and passing the offshore (hauturier) class/exam, you will need to acquire the following items: - Marine Chart SHOM 9999: This is the official exercise and exam chart provided by the French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM). It's essential for both practice and the exam itself. So you basically need 2. One for training, one for the exam. - Navigation Ruler (Règle Cras or Breton Ruler) : Tools used for plotting routes and bearings on the chart. You have the choice between different models, including the Cras 2000 or Brocémer. - Compass with Dry Points (Compas à pointe sèche) : For measuring distances and determining your position on the chart. - Manuals/Books: These include guides for preparation like those provided by Picksea or Vagnon. They offer structured learning...

Today is exam day.  We crammed the night before, but since this isn't a tough exam, I'm not as stressed as I was for the maritime code one.  The only challenge is that we're taking the exam in Toulouse, which is nearly a two-hour drive from our location. This meant an early start, a beautiful morning with the moon still out, and a snowy drive to Toulouse. We arrived at the ANFR 30 minutes early, greeted by the sight of heavy-duty telecom equipment.  The 10 AM session was packed, with dozens of people. We arrived just as they were leaving, all with smiles on their faces. I assume everyone passed their exam. Since we were early, I thought I might do some last-minute cramming before our session. However, unlike the maritime code exam where everything starts strictly on time, there was flexibility here. We were the only two candidates for this session, so the instructor suggested we start right away. He then demonstrated how to use the answer remote, which seemed straightforw...