The Great Lakes are considered Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. If you wish to operate professionally (take on paying passengers), you would need either the OUPV/Six-Pack or 25/50/100-Ton Masters captain's license for the US waters. This does not include boating recreationally, i.e., with your family, friends, or by yourself.

A holder of an OUPV/Six-Pack Near Coastal with Great Lakes Endorsement can operate: 

Great Lakes
  • On the Great Lakes 
  • Inland bodies of water, i.e., rivers, lakes, bays 
  • Up to 100 miles offshore
In addition to the other OUPV requirements, like being legal to work in the US, you must have the following boating experience: 
  • 360 total days on the water since age 16 years old 
  • 90 of those days on the Great Lakes 
  • 90 of the total days in the past three years on any waters (recency) 
A holder of a Master Near Coastal with Great Lakes Endorsement can operate:
  • On the Great Lakes 
  • Inland bodies of water, i.e., rivers, lakes, bays 
  • Up to 200 miles offshore 

In addition to the other Master's requirements, like being a US citizen, you must have the following boating experience: 

  • 720 total days on the water since age 16 years old 
  • 360 of those days on the Great Lakes 
  • 90 of the total days in the past three years on any waters (recency)  

Those who have had the privilege of experiencing the Great Lakes can tell you firsthand that it is a different body of water. Not as vast as the ocean, but no small lake, and the weather can change on a dime.

We hope this article provides you with additional information that allows you to equip yourself with the proper knowledge of becoming a safe, more knowledgeable boater. So that you too can enjoy the luxuries of becoming a licensed captain.  

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