The Captain's License
The Captain's License is required in order to carry passengers for hire -- anything from charter fishing to a water taxi to a passenger ship. To run smaller vessels, say up to 50 or 100 feet, the OUPV / "six pack" license or Master (comes in tons rating, like 50 or 100 tons) is needed. The basic requirement is sea time, which can be satisfied either through working onboard a commercial vessel, or by accumulating time aboard your own (or a friend's) boat. The sea time requirements are shown in the table below.
Other requirements: first aid and CPR training,
and a passing score on a four part exam. There are other minor requirements,
such as a physical exam. The Coast Guard Regional Exam Center for your
area will mail you an information packet for exam takers. Call
any Coast Guard office to get the telephone number.
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U.S. Coast Guard Captain's Licenses |
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| License | Allows You To: | Required Total Days | Offshore Days |
| Master, Near Coastal | Run inspected vessels, with passengers up to the maximum allowed for that vessel |
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| Master, Inland | Same as above |
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| OUPV, Near Coastal | Operate a "six-pack" uninspected vessel |
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| OUPV, Inland | Same same as above |
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Edcon Marine offers study at
home materials for any of the above (click
below)
go
to Edcon's Captain Exam Prep Page
(click
here)
click here to e-mail Edcon Marine Services: rpedwards@verizon.net