Mariners Learning System

"The OUPV/Captains license course fails to create a diverse learning environment. Its as if someone lost interest halfway through and just stopped working on the project. Initially there are lectures, which seem to just read the regs to you, then there is nothing as you progress. There are very few exam questions, which makes this package a very poor study/prep tool. E flash cards are poorly written sometimes in a double negative, and are often verbatim from the quiz questions. All in all I'm disappointed entirely with this package. I've since subscribed and am using USCGQ who offers more and a variety of questions in order to prepare for the exam."

"I wish I could give this class zero stars. For reference I am a senior in high school, I have had a 4.0 my whole entire life and I am a well rounded honor student, I live in Alaska and charter fishing runs in my family, I have been going out on the boat since before I could walk, and I am in Maritime 2 at my school with an A. I am experienced on the boat and in the class room. I know how to study for a test and grasp a concept. However, it doesn't matter how much you can possibly grasp this concept because they still throw loaded questions in the rules of the road test and it seems about impossible to pass. I have been trying to get my license since November with them and it has been the biggest waste of time and the worse experience of my whole entire life. The rules of the road is a absolute scam. I get 100% on every single quiz. I get 100% on the module exam. I grasp the concept and I understand it well, yet I still failed it three times. After the third and final attempt was when they conveniently told me I could get a tutor to help me pass it after paying $95 more dollars to try to take it again. This $95 dollars was of course after the initial cost of $495 dollars to simply take the classes. A fourth chance to take the test was not advertised anywhere and neither was the fact that they throw 10 random questions that you have never seen throughout the whole entire course on to the rules of the road exam. They have a so called 98.7% passing rate which seems like a LARGE fabrication to me. Don't be another sucker when you go on their flashy website and see "Shop USCG Captains Licenses". They are milking people for their money and I would not recommend to my worst enemy wasting their valuable time on this course when they could be successfully be getting their license anywhere else."

"I didn't know how antiquated Mariners is until I grew frustrated with the poor customer support and decided to try US Captains. Like night and day! No one asked me to post this, just hoping to save you a few hundred dollars and point you towards a modern (US Captains uses YouTube and a much more easy to understand system which also includes a hybrid on-line classroom to go along with their on-line class). I almost laughed out loud when I called Mariners to ask them how to print off thier memory flashcards and they advised that I had to print each one individually. WHAAAT??!! Does Mariners know it's 2020??!! I promise you, the difference is like PORT and STARBOARD!"

"Terrible customer service experience. You are also all alone when gathering materials for your USCG license, with their online outfit, Mariners Learning. I paid over $700 for the basic digital version of the OUPV and 100 Ton Upgrade courses. After paying for the product I noticed that they advertise substantial discounts for military and first responders for their premium captain in a box set. As an FDNY firefighter I was excited to reach out for a refund, which should have been in excess of $200. The owner, Captain Bob, refused to retroactively refund me saying it's against company policy. Additionally, the product itself is little more than a glorified textbook with questions and dated videos that read right out of the textbook. Once I had completed the course, I was left very much on my own to gather all of the materials to apply for my licenses. If I were you I'd pay the extra money and sit for a real course. In person outfits will shepard you through the application process rather than simply give you a certificate."

"I used their FCC commercial license (GROL) online testing service. I was highly satisfied and would recommend them over other COLEMs out there. Their customer service was great when I called and had some questions prior to ordering. I also exchanged a few emails and they were very responsive, even answering after hours on the weekend. The signup process is straightforward and quick, and the online test proctoring service was convenient. I was surprised to find that the 3rd party proctoring service was capable of pretty much on demand testing with about a half hour notice. I didn't have to drive to a testing center, and best of all you are able to take your Element 1 test first, then come back weeks or months later and take Element 3! No need to cram both into one testing session or pay twice to do it separately. Once I passed both elements, I was instantly presented with my Proof of Passing Certificate. Mariners also electronically filed my forms on my behalf with the FCC and I had my PG number in less than 5 days. Very impressive all the way around. I had a co-worker who obtained his GROL before me. He had a horrendous experience with the COLEM he used (Lasergrade aka PSI) and it took almost a month to get everything properly filed with the FCC. And the testing fee was about the same. I am so glad I found Mariners as the process could not have gone smoother. Thank you Mariners Learning System!"