What are the different types of licenses that I may qualify for?
OUPV INLAND (6 PAK) = Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel
OUPV NEAR COASTAL (6 PAK) = Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel
MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TONS)
MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TON) / OUPV ENDORSEMENT
MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 GROSS TON) / MATE NEAR COASTAL ENDORSEMENT
MASTER NEAR COASTAL (25, 50 OR 100 TON)
2. How much on the water time must I have to qualify for the different types of licenses?
3. How do I prove my time on the water to meet the US Coast Guard requirements?
Most recreational boaters do not maintain log books, so the Sea Service forms which are included in the USCG application package must be filled in using the honor system. This form consists of twelve boxes, one for each month of the year. Starting with the most recent year, you fill in the number of days you can best recall being on the water and then go backward in time to the age of 16 years old, or until the sea time requirements have been met. This time is then supported by proof of ownership of the vessel, if you are claiming time on your own boat. If you claim time on someone else's boat, then they must sign your sea service form.
Proof of ownership may include such documents as: registration papers, documentation papers, insurance papers, or bills of sale. Pictures are not considered acceptable.
To claim your time the vessels should be greater than sixteen (16) feet in length.
4. How much time on the water is required to obtain a Captains License?
There are different licenses which may be obtained. The time requirements for these different licenses will vary. Time is based on the number of days on the water. In New England, the US Coast Guard recognizes four (4) hours or more of time underway in one twenty-four (24) hour period as one day.
OUPV INLAND (6 PAK) = Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel within the US Coast Guard boundary lines
OUPV NEAR COASTAL (6 PAK) = Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel for both Inland waters and up to 100 miles offshore
MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 TON) for Inspected and Uninspected vessels operating on Inland waters inside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard
MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 TON) / OUPV ENDORSEMENT for Inspected vessels operating on Inland waters inside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard and for Uninspected vessels carrying up to 6 paying passengers plus crew operating on Inland waters or up to 100 miles offshore
MASTER INLAND (25, 50 OR 100 TON) / MATE NEAR COASTAL for Inspected vessels operating on Inland waters inside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard and, for Uninspected vessels carrying up to 6 paying passengers plus crew operating on Inland waters or up to 200 miles offshore PLUS Mate on inspected vessels operating up to 200 miles offshore
MASTER NEAR COASTAL (25, 50 OR 100 TON) for Inspected vessels operating on Inland waters and waters up to 200 miles offshore and for Uninspected vessels carrying up to 6 paying passengers plus crew operating on Inland waters or up to 200 miles
5. How do I know if I will obtain a Master 25, 50 or 100 gross ton license?
The US Coast Guard will assign the tonnage rating for your license based on your experience on different size vessels. They only consider the most recent 3 years for tonnage.
6. How do I increase the tonnage rating on my Master's license?
Once you have obtained an original license then you must accumulate additional time on larger vessels to increase your tonnage rating. Time acquired prior to the issuance of your original license does not count toward the increases listed below.
7. How do I increase from my OUPV (6 pak) license to a Master's license?
Once you meet the time requirements for the Master's license you may choose to take a US Coast Guard approved program for the Master Upgrade. This consists of a minimum of 24 hours of instruction for Deck General topics which include (but are not limited to) large vessel handling, life saving, fire fighting, seamanship, use of the Code of Federal Regulations, and stability.
If you prefer, you may study on your own and then make an appointment at a local US Coast Guard Regional Examination Center to take the Deck General Upgrade test which is 70 questions. You must pass this test with a 70% or better.
If the date of issuance of your OUPV license is greater than 1 year at the time you decide to upgrade, then you will be required to take the Rules of the Road test again.
8. What is the difference between an OUPV (6 pak) license and a Master's license?
The OUPV license is issued to operators for the use of uninspected passenger vessels such as most recreational vessels. The vessel may carry up to 6 passengers for hire plus crew regardless of the size of the vessel. This license is valid for the operation of both power and sail up to 100 Gross Tons. The area of operation (Inland vs. Offshore to 100 miles) will depend on the amount of time you have on inland waters vs. time operating outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard.
The Master's license is issued to operators for the use of inspected vessels which may carry in excess of 6 passengers for hire and may have multiple crew members. Inspected vessels (such as whale watch boats, water taxis, ferries, party fishing boats, etc.) must hold a valid "certificate of inspection" issued by the US Coast Guard. This "certificate of inspection" is not to be confused with the "vessel safety examination" conducted by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the Power Squadron. . This license is valid for the operation of power vessels up to 100 Gross Tons. To operate a sailing vessel you will be required to obtain a "sail endorsement on your Master's license. The area of operation (Inland vs. Offshore to 200 miles) will depend on the amount of time you have on inland waters vs. time operating outside the boundary lines established by the US Coast Guard.
9. What is required to obtain a towing endorsement on my OUPV or Master's license?
First let us clarify that the towing endorsement is valid for use in "commercial assistance towing" such as Sea Tow, and Tow Boat/Us. This endorsement will not qualify you for operation of large commercial tug boat operation.
If you already hold an OUPV (6 pak) or Master's license, you may take a minimum 4 hour US Coast Guard approved course for the towing endorsement. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, you can submit your certificate to the Coast Guard for the endorsement on your license. No practical experience is required as most employers will provide hands-on training. If the date of issuance of your OUPV or Master's license is greater than 1 year at the time you decide to add this endorsement, then you may be required to take the Rules of the Road test again.
If you have completed and passed a US Coast Guard approved OUPV or Master's course, you may continue your education by attending an approved towing endorsement course prior to submitting your application to the US Coast Guard. Upon completion, you may submit the certificate for both the OUPV or Master's course and the Towing Endorsement course. This approach will save you the additional evaluation and license issuance fees with the Coast Guard.
If you prefer, you may study on your own and then make an appointment at a local US Coast Guard Regional Examination Center to take the Towing endorsement test. You must pass this test with a 70% or better. If the date of issuance of your OUPV or Master's license is greater than 1 year at the time you decide to add this endorsement, then you may be required to take the Rules of the Road test again.
10. What is required to obtain a sail endorsement on my Master's license?
The sail endorsement can only be attached to a Master license for inspected sailing vessels. It requires that half the time be served on a sailboat since age 16.
If you already hold a Master's license, you may take a minimum 4 hour US Coast Guard approved course for the sail endorsement. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, you can submit your certificate to the Coast Guard for the endorsement on your license. If the date of issuance of your Master's license is greater than 1 year at the time you decide to add this endorsement, then you may be required to take the Rules of the Road test again.
If you have completed and passed a US Coast Guard approved Master's course, you may continue your education by attending an approved sail endorsement course prior to submitting your application to the US Coast Guard. Upon completion, you may submit the certificate for both the Master's course and the Sail Endorsement course. This approach will save you the additional evaluation and license issuance fees with the Coast Guard.
If you prefer, you may study on your own and then make an appointment at a local US Coast Guard Regional Examination Center to take the Sail endorsement test. You must pass this test with a 70% or better. If the date of issuance of your Master's license is greater than 1 year at the time you decide to add this endorsement, then you may be required to take the Rules of the Road test again.
11. How do I renew my OUPV (6 pak) or Master's license?
Your license is good for 5 years from the date of issuance. Any time within 12 months prior to the expiration date you may renew your license. If you have maintained 360 days on the water during this 5 year period, you may submit a renewal application to the US Coast Guard including your sea service forms. The Coast Guard will automatically renew your license.
If the expiration date of your license exceeds 5 years, then you have one additional year (the "grace period") to renew. You may not operate under the authority of your license during this "grace period". You must then submit a copy of the original license to the US Coast Guard along with the application to obtain a renewal license.
If you have not maintained 360 days on the water during the 5 year period from the date of issuance of your license, then you must either take an approved US Coast Guard 24 hour renewal course or, complete and return the US Coast Guard "take home" examination.
12. What if my OUPV or Master's license has expired?
If the expiration date of your license exceeds 5 years, then you have one additional year (the "grace period") to renew. You may not operate under the authority of your license during this "grace period". You must then submit the original license and sea service forms showing 360 days of active on the water time during he most 5 recent years to the US Coast Guard along with the renewal application to obtain a renewal license.
If your license has lapsed beyond the "grace period" then you will be required to start over. This means taking a US Coast Guard approved course, or taking the examination at a US Coast Guard Regional Exam Center.
13. What size vessel will qualify me for a 25, 50 or 100 Gross Ton Master's license?
All OUPV (6 pak) licenses are issued at 100 gross tons
NOTE: Sailboats generally require additional footage to qualify for the above tonnage ratings.
14. How can I determine the Gross Tonnage rating of my current and/or previous boats?
If you have owned, or presently own, a documented vessel, the gross tonnage rating should be shown on your documentation papers. You may also use the formulas below to determine the approximate gross ton of your vessel.
For power vessels: length x width x depth divided by 100 then multiplied by .67
For sailing vessels: length x width x depth divided by 100 then multiplied by .5
Note: the depth is measured from the inside depth of the keel to the main deck
15. How do I find a drug testing facility in my area?
The US Coast Guard website lists the SAMSHA approved facilities. Any facility that you choose must be in direct contact with the US Coast Guard. DOT and other similar drug testing facilities or programs may not qualify.
Most random drug testing facilities will require that you join their program and will provide a collection site within your area.
Maritime Consortium
PO Box 25345
Alexandria, Va 22313-5345
1-800-775-6985
fax: 1-800-764-2350
16. What type of CPR class must I take?
Any CPR course that is approved by the US Coast Guard will be acceptable. Typically a course sponsored by the American Red Cross or Heart Association will qualify for this requirement.
You must also take a First Aid course. The American Red Cross also offers these programs.
USCG Approved on line CPR/FA courses are accepted but MUST include the “hands –on” practical exercise.
17. What if I am color blind?
The color blindness test conducted by your physician or optometrist is a pass/fail examination. There are no intermediate levels of color blindness. If you are unable to pass this test, then the US Coast Guard will impose a daytime restriction on your license.
On the physical examination form, which is part of the application package, the US Coast Guard lists 8 different color blindness examinations that are acceptable. The most common is the Ishihara test.
18. Once I complete a US Coast Guard approved course, how long is my certificate good for?
The US Coast Guard will recognize the certificate from an approved course for 1 year. If you are unable to submit your application and the corresponding documents required by the Coast Guard within that 1 year period, then you should contact the school to determine their policy regarding refresher courses.
19. What if I sign up for a Captain's course and I am not able to attend all of the classroom sessions?
The various schools providing a Captain's course may have different policies on attendance. We at Boatwise require 100% attendance. If you are unable to meet all the dates for your scheduled class, then you may make up those dates at a different time and location. Please contact our office at 603-394-0412 or www.captains@boatwise.com to make these arrangements.
20. If I am not able to take the final examination on the date that it is scheduled for the course what do I do?
The final examination is typically scheduled on a Sunday 2 weeks following course completion for the OUPV (6 pak) program, and 1 week following completion of the Master's program. If you are unable to attend, then you may contact our office at 603-394-0412 or email: captains@boatwise.com to arrange a testing date.
The other option you have is to attend an examination date scheduled for another of our class dates and locations.
21. How do I register for the OUPV (6 pak) or Master's program?
We prefer that you contact our office at 603-394-0412 or email: captains@boatwise.com to verify that the scheduled class will in fact be held. We require a minimum of 8 students to hold these classes.
You may register via the telephone by providing your name, address, phone number, date of birth, e-mail address, and the course date and location that you prefer. A $200 dollar deposit is required to hold your seat. You may place this deposit on any major credit card, or reserve your seat and mail a check to our office at PO Box 135 Kingston NH 03848 The check should be made payable to Boatwise LLC.
Upon receipt of your deposit we will email you a confirmation letter and directions to the class location. The balance due portion of your tuition is due the first day of class.
If you are being sponsored through this program by an employer, grant, state or government funding, then we must make payment arrangements in advance and will be happy to invoice the appropriate organization.
22. What are the hours for the Captain's program?
The OUPV (6 pak) course is a 56 hour program and the test date is typically scheduled on a Sunday 2 weeks following course completion. The Master's course is an 80 hour program and the test is typically scheduled for the Sunday following course completion.
We offer several different formats for our course curriculum. Some classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Other classes are held on Thursday evenings, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We also offer compressed courses which begin on Monday and run through Sunday.
Classes that are held in the evenings begin promptly at 6:00 pm and finish at 10:00 pm. Daytime classes begin promptly at 8:30 am and finish at 5:30 pm. To see the actual class dates please refer to our website schedule.
23. If I want to prepare in advance for the Captain's course what should I do?
Preparation in advance of enrolling in any of our programs is not required, as our curriculum is designed with the assumption that our students have not had any formal training.
However, if you choose to pay the full tuition in advance of the start date of class we will be happy to send you the text book(s) for your review. Several other resources contain appropriate information as well. These include The Navigation Rules Inland and International published by the Government Printing Office (and may be purchased through our office or in class or in various other retail facilities), Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship, a website called www.navrules.com, and the newest rules CD product on the market- www.rulesmaster.com (which can be purchased through our office and certain other retail facilities).
24. What subjects are covered in the Captain's course?
There are 5 primary subjects covered in the Boatwise Captain's course. They include Rules of the Road, Navigation (level 1 and 2), Electronics, Navigation General, and Deck General.
Rules of the Road are taught on the first day of class, and then drills are conducted in each subsequent class session. The Rules, both Inland and International, include lights, dayshapes, maneuvering signals, fog signals, right of way situations, etc. The examination for this portion of the curriculum consists of 50 questions (closed book) and a 90% passing rate or greater is required.
Navigation (level 1 and 2) consists of 24 hours of lecture and hands-on chart plotting exercises. Our students will learn how to use latitude and longitude positioning; distance, time and speed calculations; true north, magnetic north, and compass north headings; tide and current table calculations; compensating for current set and drift; and calculating running fixes. The examination for this portion of the curriculum consists of 10 questions (open book) and a passing rate of 70% or greater is required.
The Electronics portion of our curriculum includes 8 hours of training on GPS/Chartplotters and Radar operations. We offer a combination of theory and application for the operation of the various manufacturers' equipment. Raymarine equipment is used as a teaching platform for this segment of the curriculum, however, the discussion addresses the similarities and differences of other major manufacturers. This portion of the curriculum is included in the Navigation General portion of the examination.
Navigation General consists of 4 hours of instruction focused on the aids to navigation and the appropriate use of those aids. We identify the differences between the variety of buoys, day markers, lighthouses, and the use of the reference books such as Light List, Coast Pilot, Bowditch, Chart No. 1, Catalogue of Nautical Charts, etc.. This examination for this portion of the curriculum consists of 20 questions (open book) and a passing rate of 70% or greater is required.
The Deck General portion of our curriculum includes topics such as vessel handling; fire safety and prevention; Code of Federal Regulations; marlinspike; weather; stability; certificates and paperwork; etc.. The OUPV (6 pak) examination for this portion of the curriculum consists of 50 questions and a 70% or greater passing rate is required. With an additional 24 hours of instruction, our students can continue in the program for the Master level license and take a 70 question examination. A 70% passing rate or greater is required for this exam as well. Both exams are open book.
25. What will happen if I take the Captain's course final exam and do not pass?
The final examination is given in 4 sections: Rules of the Road; Navigation Plotting; Navigation General; and Deck General. You are allowed 3 chances to pass the four sections. For example, if you take the exam and fail 1 section, then you are only required to take that section again. You may retake a portion of your exam by scheduling an appointment with our office.
In the event that you are unable to pass the entire exam on the 3rd attempt, then you will be placed into a 60 day waiting period. Once this waiting period expires you must retake the entire exam. During this 60 day waiting period you may attend another course location for additional training, or contact our office to arrange for private tutoring.
26. Do I need a US Coast License to perform boat deliveries?
As long as there are no passengers for hire on board the vessel, a Captain's license is not required by the US Coast Guard, unless having a USCG is a condition of employment for the delivery. Likewise, there can be no implied compensation on behalf of the owner for transporting guests (such as sales promotions or business related activity). However, many of the insurance companies require that the vessel owner hire a licensed Captain to perform the delivery.
If you are considering providing a delivery service, please remember that you should be placed on the owner's insurance policy for the duration of your trip as "other named insured" to protect yourself and the owner in the event that there are damages sustained during your trip.
27. What is STCW training and why is it required?
STCW stands for the international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. These standards were agreed to by most maritime nations in 1995. All licensed mariners needing STCW were given until January 31, 2002 to meet all the requirements.
OUPV and Master Licensed Captains traveling to/from international ports under the authority of their license are required to have Basic STCW training.
Others who are required:
28. What is involved in the STCW Basic training program?
There are 4 components to this program
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