We asked for a certificate proving that we have experience at the wheel of a trawler. We were curious whether Captain Bob, without any certain knowledge of our experience or instruction, would provide such a document. He did, and under the heading, Safety and Seamanship Certificate, it reads:
This is to certify that from the dates of 5/24/2011 thru [sic] 5/25/2011[our names inserted] has successfully completed Trawler School Charters comprehensive hands on training course. The vessel Miami Mermaid a 40' sundeck Trawler powered by a single 165hp Perkins engine equipped with Chart Plotter, Auto Pilot . . . . . . Waters of chartered navigation was from the Port of Miami.
If you have read the previous seven blogs, you know that our training was, by no stretch of the imagination, "comprehensive." Please beware, Buyers, of this school!
