Short answer? With our programs, you could operate professionally up to 100 Gross Registered Tons (GRT).
Keep reading for an in-depth explanation...
Depending on which captain's license you have will dictate the largest boat you can operate.
The two main captain's licenses are the OUPV/Six-Pack and 25/50/100 Ton Masters.
The OUPV/Six-Pack captain's license allows you to operate uninspected, power, and sail, vessels up to 100 GRT.
The 25/50/100-Ton Master captain's license allows you to operate with an OUPV + inspected vessels up to 100 GRT (depending on your license).
To start, what do we mean by uninspected vs. inspected vessels?
Well, there are some key differences. Most recreational vessels can be considered uninspected. An uninspected vessel is a vessel that is not subject to a Certificate of Inspection (COI). Some examples are:
Generally, boats with COIs are built for specific purposes, such as water taxis, whale-watching tour boats, and ferries.
The COI indicates:
Now that you know what uninspected and inspected vessels are, how large of a vessel can you operate?
It depends on the captain's license you are eligible for.
The holder of an OUPV/Six-Pack can carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 100 GRT, both power and sail!
The holder of a 25/50/100-Ton Masters license can operate BOTH uninspected and inspected vessels. Based on your experience, the size for operating inspected vessels will be issued for 25, 50 or 100-ton vessels.
The tonnage endorsement you are awarded will be attached to your Master's license and will be based on your previous boating experience. If you are issued a 25-Ton Master, you can operate inspected vessels up to 25 GRT. The same applies to 50 and 100-Ton Masters licenses, respectively.
Here are the Masters INLAND tonnage guidelines:
You will need 360 days of service on any waters, 90 of which have been obtained in the last 3 years, to fulfill the USCG recency requirement.
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25 GRT |
271 days (75%) or more for endorsement on vessels 5GRT or less OR 90 days (25%) of service on vessels of 1-25 GRT OR 180 days (50%) of service on vessels 1-16 GRT |
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50 GRT |
90 days (25%) of service of vessels of 26 GRT or above OR 180 days (50%) of service on vessels 17 GRT or above |
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100 GRT |
90 days (25%) of service on vessels of 51 GRT or above OR 180 days (50%) of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above |
Here are the Masters NEAR COASTAL tonnage guidelines:
You will need 720 days of service total, 360 of which are seaward of the boundary line, and 90 of which are on any waters for recency within the last 3 years.
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25 GRT |
542 days (75%) or more for endorsement on vessels 5 GRT or less OR 180 days (25%) of service on vessels of 1-25 GRT OR 360 days (50%) of service on vessels 1-16 GRT |
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50 GRT |
180 days (25%) of service of vessels of 26 GRT or above OR 360 days (50%) of service on vessels 17 GRT or above |
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100 GRT |
180 days (25%) of service on vessels of 51 GRT or above OR 360 days (50%) of service on vessels of 34 GRT or above |
Here is a short video that will clarify the sea service requirement.
There are many professional opportunities in the boating industry to serve on a variety of vessels. If you meet the requirements, we recommend going for the Master captain's license because it offers more versatility with regard to what types of vessels you can operate. Whereas the OUPV/Six-pack would limit you to operate uninspected vessels.
Click here to download our free definitive guide and learn more about how to obtain your captain's license!