The captain’s license is a federally issued license by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The license allows you to operate commercially with paying passengers aboard US inland waters and up to 200 miles offshore!
Keep reading to learn more about where you can use the OUPV and Master's licenses. Let us help you turn your dream into a reality.
Generally speaking, the captain’s license can be used on any body of US water including:
- Inland waterways (Rivers, lakes, bays, etc.)
- Near Coastal (Out in the ocean; outside the boundary line)
- Great Lakes
- International waters*
*Note: If you are taking on paying passengers, you must start and end your trip in US waters with the same passengers.
Regardless of if you are applying for the OUPV or Master’s license, the Coast Guard requires a minimum of 360 days on the water (boating experience), since you were 16 years old, as well as 90 days within the last 3 years to display recency.
The Coast Guard will review your boating experience and issue you the appropriate variation of license you are applying for. The form of license you are issued will restrict you to commercial operations for waterways.
Where can I operate with an OUPV/Six-pack license?
The OUPV/Six-pack license is issued in 3 forms: OUPV Inland, Near Coastal, and Near Coastal with Great Lakes Endorsement.
OUPV Inland
If you meet the minimum boating experience requirements, you will be issued the OUPV Inland. This allows you to operate with paying passengers on US inland waterways, such as rivers, lakes, bays, etc. only.
OUPV Near Coastal
Out of your 360 days on the water, 90 days of your boating experience needs to be out in the ocean or outside of the “boundary line”, since you were 16 years old. This allows you to operate with paying passengers up to 100 miles offshore, in addition to operating on inland waters.
OUPV Near Coastal with Great Lakes Endorsement
If you document at least 360 days of boating experience, with 90 of those days on the Great Lakes, since 16 years old, you will qualify for the OUPV Near Coastal with Great Lakes Endorsement. This allows you to operate with paying passengers on the Great Lakes, up to 100 miles offshore, and on US inland waterways.
Where can I operate with a 25/50/100-Ton Master’s license?
The 25/50/100 - Ton Master’s license license is issued in multiple forms: Masters Inland, Inland with Great Lakes, Near Coastal, and Near Coastal with Great Lakes.
Master Inland
You must have had at least 360 days on the water since you were 16 years old, with 90 days within the past 3 years to display “recency.” This allows you to operate with paying passengers on rivers, lakes, bays, etc.
- With Great Lakes Endorsement: At least 90 days of experience is needed on the Great Lakes, out of the total 360 days on the water since you were 16 years old. This allows you to operate with paying passengers on the Great Lakes, in addition to the areas above.
Master Near Coastal
You need to have at least 720 days on the water since you were 16 years old, and 90 days within the past 3 years to display “recency.” Out of your 720, 360 days of your boating experience out in the ocean, outside of the “boundary line.” This allows you to operate with paying passengers up to 200 miles offshore, in addition to operating on inland waters.
- With Great Lakes Endorsement: At least 360 days of experience is needed on the Great Lakes, out of the total 720 days on the water since you were 16 years old. This allows you to operate with paying passengers on the Great Lakes, in addition to the areas above.
If you don’t know exactly which license you qualify for, that is not an issue. Submit your boating experience, make sure you meet the minimum requirement, and the Coast Guard will issue you the appropriate captain’s license.
Now that you know where you can use the captain’s license, what’s holding you back from obtaining it? Check out our course here!
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