by
MET Staff | Tuesday, January 14, 2014 |
Individuals
who seek a U.S. Coast Guard-issued boat captain’s license must meet certain
requirements in terms of training, experience and citizenship. Likewise,
requirements will vary depending on the type of license sought. There are a
number of professional and financial advantages to earning a boat captain’s
license. This includes the ability to apply for higher-paying positions and
additional opportunities for generating income.
Overview of Various Types
of U.S. Coast Guard-Issued Licenses
The U.S.
Coast Guard categorizes boat captain licenses based upon the gross tonnage of
the vessel, the applicant’s practical experience and waters upon which the
applicant has served.
Below are
some of the key categories and
associated requirements:
- Operator of
Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) or “6-Pack” Officer Endorsement – Requires at least 360 days of
boating experience. At least 90 of those days must include offshore
experience and have taken place within the past three years. An applicant
without coast experience may apply for an inland boat captain’s license.
This endorsement is issued to US citizens but there are exceptions to this
citizenship requirement. For instance, a non-citizen may apply for
endorsement for undocumented vessels at five or fewer gross tons.
- Limited OUPV – An application for such
endorsement must include prior approval by the Officer in Charge of Marine
Inspections.
- Master Inland/Mate
Near Coastal – This
endorsement requires at least 360 days of practical boating experience
with at least 90 days logged in the past three years. An applicant with
180 days of offshore experience may also qualify for a Mate Near Coastal
license.
- Master Near Coastal – This upper-tier endorsement
requires at least 720 days of boating experience. At least 360 days must
have been spent offshore, with 90 days having been logged in the past
three years. Those who logged all boating experience on vessels sized less
than five gross tons will qualify for a 25 gross ton license. Those with
more than 180 days of boating experience on a vessel of more than five
gross tons qualify for a 50 gross ton license.
All
applicants must apply for credentials via a local Regional Exam Center.
Applications should include supportive documentation and required signatures. A
failure to do so may result in a delay in issuing an endorsement.
Materials to Be Included
in the USCG Application Package
An applicant
must submit an application package within one year of completing a training
course for a boat captain endorsement. Some
of the items required from an applicant include:
- three notarized letters of reference;
- official
application for license (including proof of
having undertaken oath);
- evidence to support
boating experience;
- proof of clean drug
screen (must
have been completed within previous six months);
- First Aid and CPR
certification;
and
- more.
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