CAPTAIN'S LICENSE

WHY GET A CAPTAIN'S LICENSE?

• To work as a paid captain or mate
• To use your boat for charter
• To learn or refresh your skills in navigation, chart plotting, rules of the road, safety & regulations, buoyage systems, basic weather, basic stability, and much more!
• To earn a credential that shows your experience and may even reduce insurance costs
• To improve your resume if you want to get a job on a bigger boat

WHAT LICENSE SHOULD I GET?

We recommend that you get the best license you qualify for! There are a couple of options depending on your citizenship status and boating experience. The two main captain's licenses issued by the USCG are the Operator (6 pack) and the Master. There is no requirement to test first for the 6 pack® you can go straight to Master! There are several basic differences, the Operator (6 pack) license is for uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons, up to 100 miles offshore, and the Master is for inspected (vessels carrying 7 or more passengers) or uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons, up to 200 miles offshore or on inland waters. Your boating experience may limit the tonnage to 25, 50, or 100 gross tons. Inland licenses are also available if you are operating primarily on inland waters (rivers lakes and intercoastal). If you do not have enough sea time to get your Master Near Coastal (offshore), you should consider the Master Inland, OUPV Near Coastal (with 90 days of offshore time {past the buoy).

USCG Sea Time Requirements: All Coast Guard Licenses are based on documented Gross Registered Tons (GRT).

USCG OPERATOR'S LICENSE (6-PK)

Uninspected vessels < 6 passengers up to 100gt/100 miles offshore:

• At least 360 days of boating experience including 90 days offshore and 90 within the past 7 years for an OUPV NC. If you do not have offshore/seaward experience, you can get an OUPV inland license.

USCG MASTER INLAND

• At least 360 days of boating experience, including 90 days within the past 7 years. If you have 90 days offshore experience, you can also get OUPV Near Coastal (100 miles) license. If you do not have any near-coastal sea service, apply for a Master Inland.

USCG MASTER NEAR COASTAL

Inspected or Uninspected vessels up to 100gt on up to 200 miles offshore:

• At least 720 days of boating experience including 360 days offshore and 90 within the past 7 years.

25 GRT – 541 days or more on vessels 5 GRT or less OR 180 days or more on vessels 6-25 GRT, OR 360 days or more on vessels 1-16 GRT

50 GRT – 180 days of service on vessels of 26 GRT or above, OR 360 days of service on 17 GRT vessels or above.

100 GRT – 180 days of service on vessels of 51 GRT or above, OR 360 days of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above.

USCG QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to completing your certified course, the Coast Guard requires the following items before they can issue your license. The application package does not need to be completed before taking your training program. You have up to 1 year after finishing the course to submit your paperwork to the USCG, but the sooner you submit it, the sooner your license will be processed. The USCG Application forms listed below can be sent to you upon request.

• Application CG 719 B
• Documentation of sea time experience - letters or USCG sea service forms (CG 719 S) signed by the vessel's owner or captain, History of Assignment or Transcript of Service for your military sea service (if applicable).
• Proof of vessel ownership - if you are submitting forms for your own boat(s) and signing your own sea service, you must show proof of ownership
• Physical Exam - within 1 year, on USCG Form (CG 719 K). There are certain medical conditions and/or prescription drugs that may disqualify you for a license or require a waiver. Verify with the USCG Medical department for more info
• Drug Screen (within 6 months, on USCG Form (CG 719 P), or company letterhead verifying they are qualified per 46 CFR 16.230 for random drug testing
• Proof of Permanent Residency for six-pack OUPV
• T.W.I.C; Transportation Worker Identification Credential- The USCG Conducts a criminal background check and National Driver's Registry Report on all applicants. Certain offenses within recent years can disqualify you for a license.
• Course Certificate from MPT's Certified Course within the last year
• First Aid & CPR Certificate from MPT or other USCG Approved course within the last year, or a Valid Basic Training (within 5 years).
• License Processing Fees (evaluation/ issuance paid to USCG)

USCG CAPTAIN'S LICENSE CLASSES

MPT's Captains License classes are USCG Approved, NO TEST AT THE USCG.

This course is available at two levels. The first level is 8 days in length, 1 day review and 2 days testing, total 11 days

The second level affords the student three additional days of classes and is USCG Approved for Master Licenses. The USCG does not require you to get a Six-Pack License before you get your Masters, so if you qualify, you can take the full 11 days and get your Master license! Please refer to the Qualifications section of this manual for more information or just ask one of the MPT student services representatives in the admissions office. The Masters level earns you the respect you have earned with years of boating experience as well as giving you the ability to serve on either inspected (7 or more passengers) or uninspected vessels as you choose. Another benefit is with the near coastal (offshore) route, with 6 pack you can go up to 100 miles offshore and with the Master you can go up to 200 miles offshore!

Subjects include:

• Navigation
• Tidal calculations
• International and inland rules of the road
• Coastal pilotage
• Meteorology
• Anchoring and mooring
• Marlinespike
• Docking and undocking
• Buoyage systems
• Safety
• Voyage and passage planning
• General ship knowledge regulations
• Stability and vessel construction
• Seamanship

Written Exams:

This course is USCG Approved. No Tests at the Coast Guard. You will take written final exams administered at MPT at the end of the program. They include a selection of the topics covered in the course. We work with everyone until they pass! Do not worry. Class participation and study will get you through the exams. One of the bonuses of attending MPT's captains license classes is that we give every student the certification to operate a commercial assistance towing vessel - for free! The USCG authorizes Masters with this certification to operate assistance towing vessels of any size within their tonnage and Six-Packers to operate assistance towing vessels of up to 26 feet.

MPT has always been known for going the extra mile, and this course is no exception. MPT has incredible USCG Licensed instructors with a passion for teaching, a love for boating, and a desire to see you succeed!

Why Choose Maritime Professional Training for your USCG training?

• USCG Approved Courses - Train Here & Test Here
• No Test at the Coast Guard
• No waiting to test after your USCG Course is completed
• No extra fees for at school testing