On becoming a Captain...

[NetDoc]

Has the thought of becoming a captain ever crossed your mind? Would you like to take your knowledge and seamanship to the next level or even more? We've invited the Mariner's School to help us out to answer questions on just what the requirements are and whether or not you have what it takes to go for it!

[MarinersSchool]

I would like to start by thanking Scubaboard.com for the opportunity of providing valuable Licensing information to it's members.

There are two basic levels of Licenses the first being the OUPV/Six-pack license and the next level is the 25/50/100 Ton Master License. In this thread I will review the license requirements for the OUPV/Six-pack. And will be more than happy to provide information on the Master level license upon request.

The USCG Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV/Six-pack) Captain's License allows the holder to carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 99 gross tons (about 75-90 feet long). These are usually smaller vessels that normally engage in charter fishing, SCUBA diving, or tour cruises. As such, these vessels are limited to six paying passengers plus crew-hence the term "Six-Pack." The OUPV License is issued in three forms:

OUPV Inland License:The OUPV Inland license is restricted to operation shoreward of the boundary line, excluding the Great Lakes. This license is valid on uninspected vessels to 99 gross tons.

• This license requires at least 360 days of experience in the operation of vessels, with 90 of the 360 days occurring in the last three years. Experience gained prior to 15 years of age may not be counted.
  
• The OUPV Inland License can be upgraded to an OUPV Near Coastal License once 90 days experience seaward of the boundary line has been achieved.

OUPV Great Lakes & Inland: 360 total with at least 90 days service on the Great Lakes.

OUPV Near Coastal: This license is valid on vessels up to 100 gross tons and out to 100 nautical miles.

• The OUPV Near Coastal License also requires at least 360 days of documented experience in the operation of vessels, 90 of which must be gained seaward of the boundary line. Ninety of the 360 days must be in the last three years. Experience gained prior to the age of 15 will not be counted.

Note: Sea Service experience can be counted on your own vessel. A Sea Service Form and proof of ownership are required. Experience on other people's vessels can also be counted. In this instance, to verify experience claimed and vessel details, a completed Sea Service Form with the owner's signature must accompany the application.

Additional Requirements Include:

• Age 18 or over
• Physical, drug test and eye exam
• CPR/First Aid training
• Completion of Mariners School USCG-approved OUPV class

No testing at the USCG Regional Exam Centers is necessary. All testing is done at on of our Mariners Learning System™ facilities.

Upon successful completion of the Mariners Learning System™ OUPV/Six-Pack online course, the student makes an appointment online to take their final proctored exam at one of our Coast Guard approved locations. We offer testing locations throughout the United States. Once the student passes the multiple choice exam, he or she will receive a Mariners Learning System™ certificate recognized by the United States Coast Guard in lieu of taking their exam.

Simply submit, within one year, the original certificate along with your application package and applicable fees to the USCG Regional Exam Center. Upon their approval of your package, the Coast Guard will issue you your original License.
__________________
Captain Bob Figular
President, Mariners School

[George the Greek]

Thank you for this information! Something I have wanted to do for a very long time and this information helps

[UntamedSpirit]

Thanks for the info...now I just need to get a boat and log 360 days .. I assume time on a kayak doesn't count

[MarinersSchool]

Documenting your sea service time is a process where you sit down and basically guesstimate the total number of days you have been on the water in any given month and year.

If you owned your own boat you can sign off your own time. If the time was done on your friend or families boat then they simply sign off the time for you. Four hours out on the water can be counted as one day... In a 24 hour period of time you can claim just one day...

The Coast Guard is not looking for log books to document this time on the water. They require you to fill out a Sea Service form which basically looks like a calendar. Here you record the number of days you have spent on the water in each month and year since your 15th birthday, 90 of those days need to be completed within the last 3 years.

If we are fortunate enough for you to purchase one of our courses you have one full year to complete the Coast guard approved online program. The clock starts when you log into the program for the first time... Not when you purchase one the course. Once you have completed the course you have one additional year to meet the Coast Guard's requirements. So, it is not unusual for one of our students to be short on the required Sea Service time.
__________________
Captain Bob Figular
President, Mariners School

[Wiilldd1]

Thanks for starting this NetDoc!

[Superlyte27]

Don't forget your TWIC Card, no TWIC no license.

[diddydidit]

I would love to do that, but I live in Canada :-(

[MarinersSchool]

For those who are not aware of what a TWIC card is here is some clarification:

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) is a security measure that will ensure individuals who pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system.TWIC was established by Congress and is administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard.

TWICs are tamper-resistant biometric credentials that will be issued to workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of ports, vessels, outer continental shelf facilities and all credentialed merchant mariners.

__________________
Captain Bob Figular
President, Mariners School

[Scared Silly]

This new forum is great. I look forward to it. Thanks to all for getting it started.

I would like to suggest perhaps another thread at some point, one that is geared to the average dork diver who steps on a boat. We all step onto a boat and we get a briefing. Most of us listen and nod our head - sounds good, two radios, life jackets here, raft here, head there. But was it? Most, myself included have no clue of what they should looking for to insure their safety let alone know that the boat is being operated in a safe manner. So I guess I am wondering about a Becoming a Informed Passenger thread.