Captain's License USCG -OUPV/6 Pack
Course 104N

Captains Licenses - USCG

**** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS  COURSE # DENOTES AN EVENING CLASS - FOR DAYTIME CLASSES PLEASE REFER TO COURSE #104

Course #101 is the Master or Mate of Vessels of up to 100 gross tons.

Course # 104 is the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV – 6 pack) Level.

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

This course is available for both levels. The first level is USCG Approved for candidates applying for their Six-Pack - Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) License. Also known as the Charterboat Captains License and is 8 days in length for daytime students or 2 weeks of evenings and Saturdays for Night Students. This license is for operation of uninspected vessels only.

A new U.S. law may allow uninspected charterboats operating in the USVI as defined by the law to carry a safe number of passengers for the vessel up to 12 without requiring inspection provided the vessel meets either the yellow or blue codes for small passenger vessels issued by the UK MCA. This promotes fair competition between the USVI and the BVI for charterboat operators. This allows a Six Pack License to operate these vessels in those specific waters only with up to twelve passengers on uninspected vessels, however a Masters License is still required for any inspected vessels regardless of the number of passengers or area of operation.

The second level affords the student three additional days of classes and is USCG Approved for Master and Mate Licenses or the 3-in-1 for students applying for Master / Mate and Operator.

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. 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 (like water taxi's or dinner boats, fishing boats with more than 7 passengers, etc) or uninspected vessels as you choose.

Another benefit is that with the Master you can go twice as far offshore, with the near coastal route, with 6 pack you can go up to 100 miles offshore and with the Master you can go up to 200 miles offshore!

Gross Tonnage:
The OUPV Six Pack License is valid for uninspected motor and sail vessels up to 100 gross tons and is a national license. There is not an STCW equivalency for this license.

The Master and Mate Licenses are valid for inspected motor vessels (aux sail may be added through endorsement, see below) of 25, 50 or 100 tons based on your experience and for uninspected vessels of up to 100 tons automatically. If you are unsure of your vessels gross tonnage our captains license flyer includes a formula or if your vessel is documented this information will be included on the certificate of documentation.

Master and Mate licenses can be issued as national credentials or may be issued with an STCW (international) compliant designation when applicable. Additional training and service is required to obtain the STCW designation.

Subjects Include:

Both levels of Captains License classes include training on 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, and 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 second week of the course, generally the second Friday for Master/Mate or OUPV daytime students or the second Saturday for night class students. If you are coming in from out of town, we recommend making your travel plans for the following day when possible so you are not rushed during the exam.

The exams 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 typically get you through the exams. All exams are administered in accordance with USCG guidelines and students are permitted to retake the exam modules when needed to up to three times and are allowed up to 90 days to study and finish all exams after the course if desired.  

COMMERCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWING ENDORSEMENT: Course #122
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.

AUXILIARY SAILING ENDORSEMENT: Course #103
Students taking the Master or Mate level and who have obtained sufficient sailing sea time can also take their Auxiliary Sail Endorsement one evening during the course (for an additional fee) and add this endorsement to their license. This is not required for the six pack as the uninspected license does not require an additional endorsement to operate a sailing vessel and therefore the endorsement is applicable only to inspected license candidates.

SEA TIME & APPLICATION PREREQUISITES:
Please see our Captains License brochure and information page on the MPT home page or contact a career counselor for more information. Note that the course certificate must be submitted to the USCG within one year of completion to receive examination credit.

When you register for a captains license course we recommend that you also register for the USCG First Aid Course #143N which is required to be taken within 1 year of this course and the FCC Marine Radio Operators Permit #130. Both are available in the evenings during the first week of your class for your convenience. A program package discount is available for students taking all of the courses together.

MATERIALS OR EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR CLASS / MPT SHIPS STORE:
MPT recommends our Captains Kit from the MPT Ships Store which has everything you need and can be purchased on the first day or in advance. See below for a list.