CAPTAIN'S LICENSE
We recommend that you get the best license you qualify for!
WHY GET A 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 start with a 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. If you do not have enough sea time to get your Master Near Coastal (offshore), you should consider the Master Inland, Mate Near Coastal, and Operator (6pk) Combo. Another option worth considering is the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Yachtmaster Program, which is valid on foreign flagged yachts up to 200gt.
USCG Sea Time Requirements:
All Coast Guard Licenses are based on documented Gross Tonnage. (volume not weight).
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. 90 within past 3 years. If you do not have coastwise experience, you can get an inland license. Non U.S. Citizens may be restricted to undocumented vessels with a 5 net ton limit.
USCG MASTER INLAND / MATE NEAR COASTAL
Inspected or Uninspected vessels up to 100gt on Inland Waters:
At least 360 days of boating experience including 90 within the past 3 years. If you have 180 days of offshore experience, you can also get Mate Near Coastal (200 miles) license. If you only have 90 days of offshore time, you can also get OUPV near coastal. If you do not have any nearcoastal sea service, apply for a Master Inland. If all sea time is under 5gt you will get 25gt, If 90 days is over 5gt, you will get 50gt license, If 180 are over 34gt, you will get 100gt license.
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 past 3 years. If all sea time is under 5gt you will get 25gt license. If 180 days is over 5gt, you will get 50gt license. If 360 is over 34gt, you will get 100gt license.
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 for license (with Oath done at MPT)
- Documentation of sea time experience - letters or sea service forms signed by the vessel's owner or captain or sea service forms signed by you for your own boat(s) or DD2-14 and Transcript of Service for your military sea service (if applicable).
- Proof of vessel ownership - if you are submitting forms for your own boat(s)
- Physical Exam (within 1 year, on USCG Forms) There are certain medical conditions and/or prescription drugs that may disqualify you for a license or require a waiver. Ask for info if applicable.
- Drug Screen (within 6 months, on USCG Forms or proof of random drug test program or consortium)
- Proof of Permanent Residency for six-pack OUPV
- T.W.I.C. Card; 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. Please ask if you need more information.
- 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
- Take Oath in person at MPT
- 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 for daytime students or 2 weeks of evenings and Saturdays for Night Students. This first level is USCG Approved for candidates applying for their Six-Pack - Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) License.
The second level affords the student three additional days of classes and is USCG Approved for Master and Mate 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 or Mates license! Most students do qualify for a Master or Mate 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
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