Diplomas

One of the first things we had to get was the certificate of Safety and Personal Watercraft Operations which is required and must be carried on us in the vessel (aka yacht) per CT law.  Luckily, our broker also teaches an 8-hr class at the local community center. 

With that in mind, he suggested to Tom that we buy the book, Chapman’s Piloting and Seamanship.  That book weighs about 20 lbs and is about 2.5" thick! Tom dutifully studied the book whenever he was able to and said that I should do the same.  I was studying for my exam which took precedence over Chapman’s.   He kept telling me that I was going to fail the test.  Nah, I knew the material was far too large for this certification class and was sure that the info pertaining to the certificate would be available on the day of class.  Sure enough, everything was provided as we walked into class.  I gave him my own signature smirk.  The competition is ON! 

The entire day blew by fast and it was quite enjoyable.  Finally, the test—all multiple choices.  He finished his and passed.  He looked at me ever so proudly…then there was the look.  I looked at him back and smiled while my test scores were being tallied.  And I passed.  Still being in the competition, I asked how many I missed.  Only 4 out of 50.  His was 2 out of 50.  He won the silent bet, and said to me as we were leaving the building, “but you didn’t so much cracked at the book?”  I just smiled and thought that some things are better left unsaid.