Home Articles How to How I got my Japanese Level 2 license

How I got my Japanese Level 2 license

Written by Nigel Paquin

Wednesday, 28 May 2008

Well I did it!! I got my Japanese license and I'm super happy about the whole thing. Now I can rent from Yamaha boat rental down at Mariora City and won't have to use seabass charters anymore. Well I did it!! I got my Japanese license and I'm super happy about the whole thing. Now I can rent from Yamaha boat rental down at Mariora City and won't have to use seabass charters anymore. So here's how I did it. I bought the books Tony Wickman who works for TSPS (Tokyo Sail and Power Squadron). Just click on this site and you'll see his contact info and when the next test it. Generally there are only two times a year when foreigners can take the test in English. http://www.tspsjapan.org/index.html My wife sent all my info to the Kyushu JMRA who had to be paid a fee of 24,800 yen so they could administer the test. After a week you'll get your test ID and schedule. I read all 3 books that were provided. Next I studied like you wouldn't believe and did all the previous tests that were in the package. I did every test for a total of 10 I believe. The one's I got wrong I did a review to understand why I got it wrong so when that particular question came up again I would get it. Some of my test scores were low while others were high. On my final test on the day I got a nice score of 46/50, the funny thing is I knew my score because after the test the examiner gave me the answer sheet. During the test I circled every answer I thought was right so after checking was no problem. Remember if you're done the test and still have time to go over your answer's and make sure you've done them all correct. Be very careful with the wording because you can easily make a dumb mistake and think it's the other thing.... Took a break and at 1pm the examiner was ready to see me for the practical test. It's funny he said to my wife he just wants to make sure I don't go to fast and are a pretty safe driver. We stared off on the dock and was asked to perform a cleat knot and a bowline knot. I rocked at these because I practiced these before. Here are some knots you'll have to know HERE He asked me where were certain parts like a fire extinguisher, life buoys and jackets. Next I did a hull check. Checked the engine for oil and made sure the belt was securely fastened with no abrasions to it. He drove the boat out to a certain part and said ok drive!!! I maintained a forward course while making sure port and starboard were safe. Next we changed course to starboard. Remember when he asks you to something you say Starboard CHECK, Starboard SAFE, STARBOARD TURN COMPLETED. Be over safe here guys. Next we did the slalom turns of 4 large cones. Next did a hand held compass check of a buoy in the distance and had to confer the location on the compass.Then it was time to do a safety rescue. He dropped a buoy in the water and asked me to turn around and retrieve it. He asked me what side I would do the rescue on and I said Starboard. I did it perfectly as we moved on onto the parking section. With parking complete we were done and I just had to tie the ropes to the cleats. Overall I did really well on everything except parking. I took wrong angle at the start and had to redo my entry but none the less I did it!! So after a week of patiently waiting I checked JMRA's homepage and I passed!!!!!! http://www.jmra.or.jp If your interested in doing this please don't hesitate to ask questions below and I will do my best to help you out. Nigelman

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 28 May 2008 )